Chapter 8 - The Family Elizabeth WantedOne year later, Victoria opened the Elizabeth Hale Family Center.
It helped children who had been separated from parents.
It provided legal assistance.
Counseling.
Temporary housing.
Medical care.
Most importantly, it searched for missing family members.
The center became Lily's favorite place.
She volunteered there every weekend.
Noah became a lawyer.
He specialized in missing children cases.
Victoria stepped away from much of her business empire.
For the first time, she didn't care about being the richest woman in the room.
She cared about being useful.
One afternoon, a mother arrived with her eight-year-old son.
She had been searching for her missing daughter for years.
Victoria listened.
Then she promised:
“We'll help you.”
The woman began crying.
“Why?”
Victoria smiled.
“Because everyone deserves a second chance to find their family.”
That evening, Lily sat beside Victoria.
“Mom would be proud.”
Victoria looked at her.
“I hope so.”
“She would.”
“How do you know?”
“Because you're keeping her promise.”
Victoria looked at the old photograph.
The photograph that had started everything.
Elizabeth.
Victoria.
The newborn twins.
It was now framed on Victoria's desk.
Lily touched the frame.
“Do you still regret that day?”
Victoria knew exactly which day she meant.
The day she screamed at Lily.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I saw a little girl and thought she was a thief.”
Lily smiled.
“You didn't know.”
“I should have asked.”
“You did.”
Victoria laughed softly.
“Eventually.”
Lily leaned against her.
“You know what I think?”
“What?”
“Maybe the handbag had to disappear.”
Victoria raised an eyebrow.
“Why?”
“So I could find you.”
Victoria laughed.
“That is a very strange way to think.”
“Maybe.”
They sat quietly.
Then Noah entered.
“I have news.”
“What?”
He held up an envelope.
“We found someone.”
Victoria stood.
“Who?”
“A woman named Sarah Miller.”
Victoria froze.
“Who is she?”
Noah looked at Lily.
“She claims she knew Elizabeth.”
Victoria's heart raced.
“Where is she?”
“Outside.”
A woman entered.
She was elderly.
Her eyes filled with tears when she saw Victoria.
“I knew your sister.”
Victoria stepped forward.
“What do you know?”
Sarah smiled.
“Your sister left me something.”
“What?”
“A letter.”
Sarah handed it to Victoria.
The handwriting was Elizabeth's.
Victoria opened it.
If you ever meet Sarah, trust her.
Victoria looked up.
“Why?”
Sarah whispered:
“Because I was the person who helped your sister escape.”
Victoria's breath caught.
“Escape from whom?”
May you like
Sarah looked toward Lily.
“Rebecca.”
