Chapter 2

I stared at the stranger, a sudden wave of anger washing over me.

This man was not my mother. Why was he pretending to be my family?

He just wanted to take me away so that when my mom came back, she wouldn't be able to find me!

"I don't know you! I'm not going with you!" Tears welled up in my eyes, and I hid behind Mrs. Gable.

The man pulled a small teddy bear out from behind his back, knelt down, and spoke softly.

"Chloe, I brought you this bear. See? It has the exact same cartoon pattern as the band-aid on your finger. Do you like it?"

I stared at the bear, completely frozen.

How did he know what pattern was on my band-aid?

Did he know my mom?

Before I could process this, Mrs. Gable gently explained the situation to me.

"Chloe, this is your biological father, William Sterling."

"They found your profile in the national DNA database a few days ago. That's when they realized you were the daughter they lost years ago."

"I’ve personally verified the DNA test reports. You are indeed his daughter."

I didn't fully understand the technical terms, but I understood the words "biological daughter."

Did this mean I could finally find my mom?

I tugged at Mrs. Gable's sleeve and asked quietly,

"Where is my mom, then?"

Before Mrs. Gable could answer, William gently patted my head and smiled.

"She has some business to attend to today, so she couldn't make it."

"But once you come home with me, you’ll get to see her."

Tears of pure joy threatened to spill over.

I was finally going to see my mother!

I wanted her to take my hand and show the whole world that I wasn't a liar, that she had been protecting me from the shadows all along!

After finishing the paperwork, I went back to my room to pack my few pieces of old clothing.

But William stopped me.

He picked me up in his arms, his voice filled with affection.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you shopping. We'll buy a hundred new outfits!"

"Let's leave these old clothes behind. Consider it a farewell to the past."

I didn't care about the clothes. I just wanted to see my mom.

So I nodded, letting him carry me out of the group home.

The moment we stepped through the front gates, a crowd of reporters and paparazzi surrounded us.

They shoved microphones into my face, shouting over one another.

"Are you the girl adopted by the CEO of Sterling Group?"

"Why did Mr. Sterling choose to adopt you?"

"Sweetheart, how does it feel to suddenly become the heiress of the wealthiest family in the state? Do you know your life is about to change forever?"

Faced with the flashing cameras and loud voices, my face crumpled.

"I don't care about money. I just want to see my mom."

Before I could say anything else, William angrily pushed the microphones away.

"This is a private family matter! Show some respect to my daughter!"

"She is just a child. Stop asking her such superficial questions!"

He shielded me through the crowd and placed me into the back of a luxury SUV.

During the drive, I couldn't stop imagining what my mom looked like.

Would she look like me?

Would she like the card I made for her?

Why had she stayed in the shadows for so many years?

I had so many questions, and I wanted to ask her face-to-face.

But it was okay. We had plenty of time now.

The car stopped in front of a massive, beautiful mansion. I immediately jumped out and ran inside.

"Mom!" I screamed, rushing through the front doors.

Standing in the grand foyer was a young, elegant woman with her arms wide open.

Next to her stood a young girl about my age.

"Chloe, come here. Let me give you a hug," the woman said with a warm smile.

But I froze right in my tracks and screamed,

"You are not my mom!"