“That… that necklace,” Emily said quietly, lowering her eyes. “It belonged to my older sister. Rachel. She passed away eight months ago… after giving birth to Ava. There were complications. We were at a public hospital. We didn’t have the money for what she needed.”
Everything seemed to stop.
The air left Adrian’s lungs.
The child in his arms—the one who had calmed instantly against him—was Rachel’s daughter.
And when he looked closer, really looked at Ava’s sleeping face, he saw it.
His own reflection.
The shape of her eyes. The tone of her skin. The subtle curve of her features.
This wasn’t just a coincidence.
This was his child.
“That’s ridiculous!” Victoria snapped, her voice slicing through the moment. She strode forward, heels striking sharply against the marble. “Adrian, don’t be naïve. This is obviously a scam. She probably dug up some story about your past and found that cheap necklace at a flea market. I’ll call the police right now—”
But Emily looked up—and froze.
Her eyes widened in shock.
“You…” she whispered.
Victoria stiffened for a split second.