Chapter 4

Chapter 4

POV: Victoria Morph

The Call

Victoria did not sleep that night.

Opportunity did not wait for comfort.

She lay awake staring at the ceiling, replaying every word she would say.

Every pause.

Every tremor.

Every breath.

By morning, the story was flawless.

At exactly 8:00 a.m., she dialed the number listed on the official Hartwell announcement website.

Her fingers were steady.

Her voice would be, too.

The line rang twice.

Then—

“Hartwell Family Office. How may we assist you?”

Professional.

Polished.

Guarded.

Victoria lowered her tone, injecting just enough hesitation.

“I… I believe I have information about your missing daughter.”

Silence.

A shift in the air.

“Ma’am, can you clarify what kind of information?”

Victoria glanced toward the hallway.

Sophia stood just out of sight, listening.

“My late husband found a little girl seventeen years ago,” Victoria began carefully. “She was alone near the roadside outside the city. No identification. No family.”

She paused.

Let her voice tremble.

“We took her in. Raised her as our own.”

The performance was effortless.

“She has the birthmark,” Victoria added softly. “A crescent moon embracing a small star.”

Complete silence.

Then—

“Ma’am… are you certain?”

“Yes.”

Another pause.

Longer this time.

“Please hold.”

Victoria allowed herself a small smile.

Hooked.

Minutes later, a different voice came on the line.

Deeper.

Controlled.

“This is Daniel Reeves, legal counsel to the Hartwell family. I need you to repeat everything you just said.”

Victoria repeated the story.

Polished.

Emotional.

Believable.

She even allowed her voice to crack when mentioning her “late husband.”

When she finished, the lawyer spoke again.

“If this claim is false, there will be serious legal consequences.”

Victoria’s expression hardened instantly.

“It isn’t false.”

She ended the call calmly.

Across the city, inside the executive office of Hartwell Tower, two brothers stood in silence as Daniel Reeves lowered his phone.

“She claims the girl was found seventeen years ago,” he said evenly. “Roadside. No documentation. The birthmark matches the description.”

Julian’s heart pounded.

“Where is she?” he demanded.

Alexander remained still.

Unmoving.

Unreadable.

“Arrange a private meeting,” he said at last. “Discreet. Immediate.”

Back in the modest house, Sophia paced the living room.

Her hands were trembling now.

“What did they say?” she asked urgently.

Victoria set her phone down with deliberate calm.

“They want to see you.”

Sophia’s breath caught.

“This is really happening.”

Victoria stepped closer and adjusted a loose strand of her daughter’s hair.

“From this moment forward,” she said quietly, “you are not Sophia.”

Her eyes sharpened.

“You are Isabella Hartwell.”

Sophia repeated the name silently.

Isabella.

It felt foreign.

Powerful.

Expensive.

Victoria’s voice lowered further.

“And remember—Elena must know nothing.”

As if summoned by her name, Elena stepped into the room carrying folded clothes.

“Ma’am, where should I put—”

“Go back to the kitchen,” Victoria snapped sharply.

Elena froze mid-step.

The air felt wrong.

Heavy.

“Yes, Ma’am.”

She turned away slowly, confusion clouding her expression.

Sophia watched her retreat down the hallway.

For a brief second—

Just a second—

Doubt flickered.

But then she imagined marble floors.

Private jets.

A future rewritten.

And doubt disappeared.

That evening, a sleek black car stopped outside Victoria’s house.

Not flashy.

But undeniably expensive.

A man in a tailored suit stepped out.

Sharp eyes.

Measured steps.

Daniel Reeves.

He surveyed the house once before walking to the door.

Victoria opened it with practiced surprise.

“Mrs. Morph?”

“Yes.”

“I’m here on behalf of the Hartwell family.”

His gaze shifted past her.

“Where is the girl?”

Victoria stepped aside slowly.

Sophia descended the staircase with careful precision.

Head slightly lowered.

Shoulders delicate.

Expression fragile.

Playing her part.

Daniel studied her silently.

Assessing.

Calculating.

Then his eyes drifted downward—

Toward her upper back.

“May we verify the birthmark?” he asked evenly.

Victoria’s smile did not falter.

“Of course.”

Sophia turned slowly.

Carefully.

The fabricated crescent moon and star rested against her skin.

Perfectly drawn.

Convincing.

Daniel stepped closer.

Examined it.

Said nothing.

In the hallway, unseen—

Elena stood frozen behind the wall.

Because for the first time—

She heard a name that did not belong to her.

“Isabella Hartwell