Chapter 8 - The Missing Baby and the Betrayal That Nearly Destroyed Us
Grace had disappeared.
The room erupted into chaos.
I ran through the burning corridor.
“GRACE!”
No answer.
Victor followed.
Carter called every deputy.
Emma searched the basement.
But Grace was gone.
Then I saw the blue rabbit.
It was lying on the floor.
A trail of footprints led outside.
Someone had taken her.
Snow covered everything.
We followed the tracks.
They led toward the old family cemetery.
A black car waited beyond the trees.
Richard stood beside it.
And in his arms was Grace.
I raised my weapon.
“Put her down.”
Richard smiled.
“She is the key.”
“She's a baby.”
“She is the most valuable person alive.”
Emma stepped forward.
“You're insane.”
Richard looked at her.
“You're Michael's daughter.”
Emma froze.
“Your father betrayed me.”
“He tried to save people.”
“He ruined everything.”
Richard's voice became cold.
“Your father stole the research.”
“He destroyed it.”
“No.”
Richard shook his head.
“He hid it.”
“Where?”
Richard smiled.
“Inside Grace.”
I felt sick.
“What does that mean?”
Richard held Grace closer.
“The genetic marker is strongest in her.”
I stepped forward.
“Give me my daughter.”
He shook his head.
“You don't understand, Daniel.”
“Then explain.”
“Your father discovered that the marker could reverse certain diseases.”
“So?”
“Your daughters could change medicine forever.”
“That doesn't give you the right to take them.”
“I don't want all three.”
He stared at Grace.
“I only need one.”
Victor stepped toward him.
“Richard.”
Richard laughed.
“You still believe you're a hero.”
Victor's face tightened.
“You used me.”
“Yes.”
“And Claire?”
“Yes.”
I almost fired.
But Richard pressed a knife near Grace.
I lowered my gun.
“Let her go.”
“Tell me where the drive is.”
“Burned.”
Richard smiled.
“Then I'll take Grace.”
Emma stepped beside me.
“Don't.”
She whispered something.
I looked at her.
“The pendant.”
I remembered.
Claire's ruby.
The hidden chip.
I slowly removed it from my pocket.
“Here.”
Richard looked.
He stepped closer.
Then Emma moved.
She threw a rock toward the vehicle.
Richard turned.
I charged.
Victor grabbed Grace.
Carter tackled Richard.
For several seconds, everyone was fighting.
Then Richard escaped into the woods.
We had Grace.
But he was gone.
We returned to the ranch.
The fire had been contained.
The triplets were reunited.
I sat alone with them.
All three were sleeping.
I cried for the first time since Claire's funeral.
Emma sat beside me.
“I thought I lost her.”
“You almost did.”
She touched my shoulder.
“You didn't.”
I looked at her.
“I don't know how to thank you.”
“You don't have to.”
“I do.”
“No.”
She smiled faintly.
“Just keep them safe.”
I looked down at the girls.
Then Victor entered.
He looked older than he had that morning.
“I found something.”
He placed a file on the table.
It contained DNA testing from Claire.
And another name.
Margaret Whitmore.
My mother.
The results showed that my mother had been involved in Project Willow.
But not as an accomplice.
As a whistleblower.
She had secretly transferred evidence to Claire.
Then I understood.
Claire wasn't hiding the truth from me.
She was protecting me.
Suddenly, Victor's phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered.
A voice spoke.
“It's over.”
Victor's face went pale.
“Who is this?”
The voice replied.
“Check the nursery.”
Victor dropped the phone.
We ran upstairs.
The babies were still there.
Safe.
Except someone had left a photograph on Sophie's crib.
It showed Claire.
Standing outside the hospital.
And beside her was a pregnant woman.
Emma.
But Emma had been only a child then.
The photograph made no sense.
I turned it over.
On the back:
SHE KNEW YOUR MOTHER.
Emma stared.
Then whispered something that changed everything.
“I've seen that woman.”
May you like
“Who?”
“My mother.”
