TWO NEWBORN BABIES WERE HIDDEN IN MY BEDROOM—AND MY FAMILY WOULD DO ANYTHING TO KEEP ME FROM DISCOVERING WHO THEIR MOTHER REALLY WAS

I read the final line again.

Then I read it a third time.

*Previously transferred. Outcome unknown.*

Seven years earlier.

The date Sophie had supposedly died.

I looked at Daniel.

“What does this mean?””

He took the folder from my hands and examined the page.

“It means there was another embryo.””

“Another child?””

“Possibly.””

I turned toward Eleanor.

“Did you know about this?””

She lowered her hands from her face.

“I knew there had been another transfer.””

My throat tightened.

“Another transfer involving Sophie?””

She nodded.

“Why didn't you tell me?””

“Because I didn't know whether it had worked.””

I stared at her.

“You knew my sister might have another child somewhere in the world, and you said nothing?””

“Marcus, please listen.””

“No. You've had eleven years to talk. I'm listening to the truth now.””

Eleanor stood.

“The original agreement was made seven years ago. Sophie agreed to carry a child for the family. Your father paid for everything. The clinic used genetic material that had been stored before he died.””

I frowned.

“Why would my father have genetic material stored?””

She looked at Daniel.

He answered instead.

“Your father underwent fertility preservation treatment years before you were born. He had samples stored at a private clinic.””

I stared at him.

“My father never mentioned that.””

“Most people don't discuss those arrangements with their children.””

“Why was it used?””

Daniel hesitated.

“Your father wanted to create an heir who would inherit his business interests through a separate legal arrangement.””

I shook my head.

“That makes no sense. He already had me.””

“Apparently, he didn't consider you sufficient.””

The words stung.

My father had always been demanding. He believed children should earn everything, including affection.

But I had never imagined he would secretly plan another family.

I looked at Eleanor.

“Who was supposed to raise the third child?””

She swallowed.

“Richard.””

I felt my stomach drop.

“Richard Hayes?””

“Yes.””

The room went silent.

My father's business partner had planned to raise a child created from my father's genetic material.

And now two newborns were in my bedroom, one allegedly carrying my DNA and the other Adrian's.

But the third embryo had been transferred seven years ago.

I looked at the date again.

“Did Sophie give birth to that child?””

Eleanor shook her head.

“I don't know.””

“Then how did you get this file?””

“Richard gave it to me.””

“Why?””

“Because he wanted me to understand that the family arrangement was bigger than you and me.””

I laughed.

“Bigger than us? You're talking about children as though they're business assets.””

Eleanor looked down.

For once, she had no answer.

Officer Bennett returned from downstairs.

“We've searched the property. The individual who entered the study is gone.””

“Adrian?”” I asked.

He nodded.

“He left through the rear entrance before our second unit arrived.””

“Did you find anything?””

The officer held up a small plastic evidence bag.

Inside was a key card.

“Found this in the study. It belongs to a private medical facility.””

Daniel leaned forward.

“That's the clinic.””

Officer Bennett examined the card.

“Can you identify the facility?””

Daniel read the name.

“Westbridge Reproductive Center.””

I looked at Eleanor.

“Is that where Sophie delivered the twins?””

She nodded.

“Then that's where we're going.””

Officer Bennett shook his head.

“Mr. Bennett, you can't simply leave with an infant while this investigation is underway.””

“I'm not leaving without my son.””

“We have officers searching for him.””

“And I have a sister who just called me saying she's protecting him. I need to know why.””

My phone vibrated.

A message from Sophie.

*Come to the old house on Willow Lane. Alone. Bring the original clinic file.*

I stared at it.

The old house.

The place where Sophie and I had grown up.

It had been sold after my father's death.

I showed Daniel.

He immediately shook his head.

“No.””

“She has Oliver.””

“It's a trap.””

“Maybe. But she's my sister.””

Officer Harris stepped closer.

“Mr. Bennett, if you're going somewhere, we'll need to arrange a safe meeting.””

I agreed.

But before anyone could move, Eleanor spoke.

“Don't go there.””

I turned.

“Why?””

Her eyes filled with tears.

“Because that's where the third child was born.””

Nobody moved.

I stepped toward her.

“What did you say?””

Eleanor looked at the photograph of Sophie holding the newborn.

“Seven years ago, Sophie didn't just disappear. She gave birth to a little girl.””

My legs felt weak.

“Where is she?””

“I don't know.””

“You said Richard was supposed to raise her.””

“He was.””

“Then where is she now?””

Eleanor shook her head.

“Richard told us the baby had died.””

Daniel looked horrified.

“Who confirmed that?””

“No one.””

I stared at Eleanor.

“You allowed me to believe my sister was dead. You allowed me to believe a baby was dead. And all this time, you knew neither story had been properly verified.””

She began sobbing.

Then she said something that changed everything.

“Sophie told me the little girl was alive. She said she had been living with someone who knew nothing about the agreement.””

“Who?””

Eleanor looked directly at me.

“Your mother.””

My heart stopped.

My mother had died ten years earlier.

Or so I had been told.

I looked at Daniel.

He slowly closed the file.

Then he whispered: