Chapter 161
Daisy’s POV:
I waited until Ethan’s footsteps faded down the hallway, then slowly
closed my bedroom door.
The soft click of the latch felt final, definitive–like the closing of a
chapter in my life.
For several seconds, I just stood there, hand still gripping the
doorknob, fighting to maintain the vulnerable, tearful facade I’d so
carefully crafted for my brother.
Then, like a switch being flipped, I let it all drop away.
A strangled sound–half–laugh, half–sob–escaped my throat as I
pressed my forehead against the cool wood of the door.
The tears that had been so useful moments ago now flowed freely, but
for entirely different reasons.
Not sadness. Not vulnerability.
Pure, unadulterated rage.
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Chapter 161
I spun around, catching my reflection in the full–length mirror across
the room.
“Not your real sister,” I whispered to my reflection, my voice
trembling. “Twenty–seven years, and I’m not actually the real younger
sister.”
I crossed the room in three quick strides, standing inches from the
mirror.
The woman who stared back at me looked wild, unhinged–nothing
like the polished, perfect Cole daughter I presented to the world.
“What happens when he finds her?” I asked my reflection, digging my
manicured nails into my palms.
“When the real daughter returns? What happens to Daisy then?”
I knew the answer, of course.
Everything I had–my status, my privilege, my very identity–would
be threatened.
I’d
go from being the cherished Cole princess to…what? The charity
case? The replacement child they no longer needed?
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Chapter 161
All those years of being the perfect daughter, and I could lose it all in
an instant.
My gaze drifted across my bedroom–the Hermès scarves artfully
draped on my designer handbag rack, the collection of limited-
edition Jimmy Choos, the custom–made jewelry displayed in
illuminated cases.
All the trappings of a life of privilege and indulgence.
On my vanity sat a framed photo from last year’s Cole Foundation
Gala–me in the center, Robert and Sara Cole’s arms wrapped proudly
around me, their beloved daughter.
For a disorienting moment, I swore the image shifted before my eyes
-my face blurring, morphing into someone else’s, a stranger taking
my place between my parents.
I blinked hard and the hallucination vanished, but the terror it
sparked remained.
I clutched the frame to my chest, a fierce possessiveness overtaking
- me.
“No,” I whispered, my voice low and dangerous, “I will not let anyone
take this away from me. This is mine. All of it.”
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Chapter 161
I straightened my shoulders, watching as determination replaced the
panic in my eyes.
If Ethan was going to the hospital tomorrow, so was I.
Whatever information he found, I needed to find it too. Maybe even
first.
نا
My mind was already three steps ahead, planning, calculating,
determining exactly what would need to be done to protect what was
mine.
Sorry, long–lost sister, I thought with grim determination. But I’m not
going anywhere.
Manhattan Memorial Hospital smelled like all hospitals–antiseptic
and despair, thinly masked by air freshener.
I’d followed Ethan here, keeping a careful distance, watching as he
charmed his way into the records department.
Now he was walking out, looking annoyingly pleased with himself.
I ducked behind a corner, holding my breath as he passed by.
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Chapter 161
The moment he disappeared through the main doors, I straightened
my blouse and practiced my expression in the reflection of a
darkened window.
Vulnerable. Hopeful. Desperate. Perfect.
The records department was staffed by a woman in her sixties, her
gray hair pulled back in a sensible bun.
Her nameplate read “Mrs. Johnson.”
“Excuse me,” I said softly, my voice wavering just enough. “I was
hoping you could help me.”
Mrs. Johnson looked up, her expression professional but kind.
“What can I do for you, dear?”
I twisted my hands in front of me, the picture of nervous
anticipation.
“I… I’m looking for information about my birth parents. I was
adopted, and I’ve finally worked up the courage to search for them.”
Her eyes softened immediately.
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Chapter 161
“What kind of information are you hoping to find, dear?” Mrs.
Johnson asked, her professional demeanor warming with sympathy.
I twisted a strand of hair nervously between my fingers.
“Well, the man who was just in here–that’s my older brother, Ethan.
He’s been helping me search.”
U
I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
“I was hoping you might tell me what information he found? He’s
protective and sometimes keeps things from me, thinking it’s for my
own good.”
Hook, line, and sinker.
Mrs. Johnson looked hesitant. “We have strict protocols about
releasing patient information…”
I blinked rapidly, letting tears pool in my eyes.
“Please,” I whispered.
“I’ve spent my whole life wondering where I came from. Every birthday, every Christmas, I look at faces in crowds and wonder if my
real mother is out there, thinking about me too.”
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Chapter 161
A tear slid perfectly down my cheek.
“It’s just… I found out recently that I might have been part of some
mix–up at this hospital when I was born. The family I grew up with-”
I paused, my voice cracking with emotion. “They’ve been wonderful,
but I need to know the truth.”
Mrs. Johnson sighed, her resistance crumbling.
She leaned forward, lowering her voice.
“There was a terrible mistake made years ago. Two baby girls, possibly
switched. The hospital tried to keep it quiet, but…”
“Do you know where I might find them?” I asked, my heart racing
with anticipation.
Mrs. Johnson hesitated, then scribbled something on a notepad.
“This is the address we have on file. Upper East Side. I shouldn’t be
giving you this, but…”
She handed me the paper. “Everyone deserves to know where they
come from.”
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I clutched the paper, genuine gratitude washing through me.
“Thank you. You have no idea what this means to me.”
As I turned to leave, Mrs. Johnson called after me.
“Miss? Remember, whatever you find, the people who raised you
they’re your family too. Blood isn’t everything.”
I nodded solemnly, a perfect picture of thoughtful consideration.
“I’ll remember that,” I promised, already thinking about how quickly I
could get to the Upper East Side address.
Everything was falling into place.
And I would do whatever it took to ensure I remained the only
daughter the Cole family needed.
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8/9
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
