Chapter 6 - THE SURVIVOR IN THE GARDEN
Security searched the grounds.
The shot had come from the abandoned greenhouse beyond the east garden.
No weapon was found.
Daniel discovered a trail of blood leading from the greenhouse to the hedge maze.
Lucas followed despite Daniel’s warning.
At the center of the maze, they found a woman collapsed beside the stone fountain.
Her red hair was tangled.
Her clothes were torn.
A deep cut marked her shoulder.
Margaret gasped.
“Sophia.”
The missing woman opened her eyes.
She looked at Lucas.
“You married her.”
“We did not finish the ceremony.”
Sophia gave a weak, bitter laugh.
“Then Lily saved you.”
They carried her into the mansion’s medical room.
A doctor treated her injuries.
Sophia claimed Richard had held her in an isolated house for nearly eight years.
He moved her whenever investigators came close.
Three days earlier, one of her guards received orders to kill her.
She escaped through a bathroom window and followed Richard to the mansion.
“Why come today?” Lucas asked.
“Because of the second letter.”
Sophia reached inside her coat.
She removed an old photograph.
It showed Emily holding a newborn baby.
Another infant slept beside her.
Lucas stared at the image.
“Twins?”
Sophia nodded.
“Emily gave birth to two girls.”
Lucas felt the floor disappear beneath him.
“No.”
“I was there.”
“Lily had a twin sister.”
Sophia explained that the second baby developed breathing problems.
Richard arranged for her transfer to a specialist hospital.
Hours later, he told Lucas and Emily that the child had died.
Lucas remembered the small white coffin.
They had never been allowed to see the baby’s face because of what the doctor called severe complications.
“Richard took her,” Sophia said.
“Why?”
“The Bennett trust gives equal ownership to every direct heir.”
“If there were two daughters, Richard could not gain control through Lily alone.”
Lucas struggled to understand.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Sophia looked toward Vanessa.
“Your bride may know.”
Vanessa shook her head.
“I swear I don’t.”
Sophia’s voice turned cold.
“You delivered the hospital papers to Richard.”
“I thought they were adoption documents.”
“You helped him steal a child.”
Vanessa backed away.
Sophia reached for Lucas.
“Emily discovered the truth shortly before she died.”
“That is what the second letter contains.”
A scream came from the hallway.
Lily was gone.
May you like
On her bed lay the sapphire necklace and a message.
ONE DAUGHTER FOR ANOTHER.
