Chapter 12 - The Daughter Who Stole Elena's Face

# Chapter 12 - The Daughter Who Stole Elena's Face

The woman holding Gabriel looked so much like Elena Rossi that Dominic Moretti almost called his former lover's name.

Almost.

But there was something wrong with her smile.

Elena smiled with her eyes, even when she was frightened. This woman smiled only with her mouth, as though she had spent years practicing an expression she didn't understand.

Dominic enlarged the photograph again.

Gabriel sat beside her on a narrow bed, wearing a dark blue sweater. His hair was neatly combed, but his face appeared pale and exhausted. One small hand rested on the woman's sleeve.

Behind them stood a window covered by wooden shutters.

On the wall was a painting of a lighthouse.

And beneath the photograph, the anonymous sender had written:

Bring Isabella. She deserves to meet the daughter Vittorio never told her about.

Dominic read the message twice.

Then he looked toward Isabella Venturi's house.

A daughter.

Another child Vittorio had concealed.

Another person whose existence had been erased from the Moretti family history.

But this time, the evidence was different.

Someone wasn't merely claiming a hidden blood relationship.

Someone had deliberately copied Elena's appearance and used her identity to remove Gabriel from Bellwether.

And that woman was now asking for Isabella.

Dominic immediately called the unknown number.

No answer.

He tried again.

A recorded voice informed him the number was unavailable.

His jaw tightened.

"Adrian!"

The investigator appeared at the terrace doorway.

"What happened?"

Dominic handed him the phone.

Adrian studied the photograph.

His expression changed.

"Is that Elena?"

"No."

"Are you certain?"

"Yes."

Adrian enlarged the image.

"The resemblance is extraordinary."

"She's the woman Gabriel left Bellwether with."

"According to Whitmore?"

"And according to whoever sent this."

Adrian read the messages.

Then stopped.

"A daughter?"

Dominic nodded grimly.

"Apparently."

"Isabella knows?"

"Not yet."

Adrian looked toward the sitting room.

"Dominic, we need to verify the photograph before assuming the woman's identity or parentage."

"I know."

"She could have been made to resemble Elena for the purpose of deception."

"She has Gabriel. That's what matters."

Adrian nodded.

"Then we preserve the messages and get them to Mitchell."

Dominic looked at the lighthouse in the photograph.

Something about it seemed familiar.

Too familiar.

At Seabrook, Elena was standing across from Dr. Samuel Whitmore when Dominic called.

The neurologist sat between two security officers, his thin hands clasped tightly together.

He looked older than his personnel photograph.

Gray hair.

Sunken cheeks.

The exhausted expression of a man who hadn't slept properly in days.

Elena stood several feet away.

"Where is my son?"

Whitmore lowered his eyes.

"I've already explained—"

"No."

Her voice cut through the room.

"You've explained how the records were changed. You've explained that someone used my identification. You've explained that Gabriel was transferred."

She stepped closer.

"But you haven't told me where he is."

Whitmore swallowed.

"I don't know his present location."

Elena stared at him.

"Then why come here?"

"Because I wanted to prevent what happens tomorrow."

"The trust verification?"

He nodded.

"Gabriel's medical information has been used to establish a legal identity. The people administering the trust intend to rely on that information even though the underlying records are disputed."

"And you signed those records?"

Whitmore looked away.

Elena's expression hardened.

"Did you?"

"Some."

"Did you know they were false?"

A long silence.

Then he whispered, "I suspected."

Elena felt her stomach twist.

"You suspected, and you kept treating him?"

"He needed medical care."

"That doesn't explain why he was kept away from his family."

Whitmore closed his eyes.

"I know."

"Did you make him sick?"

His head snapped up.

"No."

"Daniel says you gave Gabriel medicine that left him unconscious."

Whitmore looked shaken.

"Gabriel experienced episodes that required treatment. But some orders were entered under my credentials without my authorization."

Elena stared.

"Just like Evelyn's signature?"

"Yes."

"Then who entered them?"

"I believe someone inside Bellwether's administration."

"Charles Barrett?"

Whitmore hesitated.

"I don't know who personally entered every order."

Elena was about to respond when her phone vibrated.

Dominic.

She answered immediately.

"Did you find him?"

"Not yet."

Her heart sank.

"But I have a photograph."

"Of Gabriel?"

"Yes. He's with the woman who impersonated you."

Elena pressed her hand against the table.

"Is he hurt?"

"No obvious injury in the photograph. He looks frightened."

"Where are they?"

"We're trying to determine that."

A pause.

Then Dominic asked something unexpected.

"Elena, do you remember a woman at the hospital six years ago who looked like you?"

She frowned.

"What?"

"A medical administrator. Brown hair. Similar facial features."

Elena searched her memory.

The hospital existed in fragments.

Bright lights.

Pain.

Voices behind masks.

The sound of a newborn crying.

And one woman's face.

Her stomach tightened.

"Dominic."

"What?"

"I remember someone."

"Who?"

"After the surgery, a woman came into my room. I thought she was a nurse."

"What did she look like?"

Elena closed her eyes.

"Brown hair. About my age. She wore a white coat."

Dominic became silent.

Elena continued.

"She asked whether I remembered how many children I'd delivered."

His pulse quickened.

"What did you say?"

"I told her five."

"And?"

"She smiled."

Elena's voice trembled.

"Then she said, 'Sometimes mothers remember things incorrectly after surgery.'"

Dominic went completely still.

At Isabella's house, Dominic ended the call and returned to the sitting room.

Isabella was reading Anthony's letter again.

She looked up when he entered.

"Did you hear from my son?"

"No."

Her expression fell.

Dominic sat opposite her.

"Isabella, I need to ask you something."

She folded the letter.

"All right."

"Did Vittorio ever tell you that you had a daughter?"

The change in her expression was immediate.

Her fingers tightened around the paper.

"Who told you that?"

Dominic felt his pulse accelerate.

"Someone sent me a message."

Isabella stared at him.

"What message?"

He showed her the photograph.

For several seconds, she didn't move.

Then the letter slipped from her hands.

"No."

Dominic leaned forward.

"Do you recognize her?"

Isabella's face had gone white.

"Where did you get this?"

"She appears to be holding Gabriel."

"Gabriel?"

"My son."

Isabella looked at the photograph again.

Her breathing became shallow.

"That's impossible."

"Why?"

She covered her mouth.

"Because she died."

Dominic stopped.

"Who?"

Isabella began shaking.

"My daughter."

Silence filled the room.

Dominic stared.

"You had a daughter?"

Tears streamed down Isabella's cheeks.

"Yes."

"When?"

"Before Anthony."

Dominic felt the ground shift beneath him.

"With Vittorio?"

Isabella nodded.

"Yes."

He leaned back slowly.

Another child.

Another hidden heir.

Another secret his father had taken to the grave.

"What's her name?"

Isabella closed her eyes.

"Serena."

Thirty-nine years earlier, Isabella Venturi had given birth to a little girl.

She was twenty-five.

Vittorio Moretti was already married, already powerful, and already deeply entangled in the inheritance arrangements that would eventually become Project Legacy.

After Anthony disappeared, Isabella had tried to cut every connection with the Moretti family.

But grief had made her vulnerable.

And Vittorio had returned with promises.

He claimed he was searching for Anthony.

He said Richard had deceived them both.

He promised Isabella that he would bring their son home.

She wanted to believe him.

For several months, she did.

Then she discovered she was pregnant again.

"A girl," Isabella whispered.

Dominic listened without interrupting.

"She was born in 1987. Healthy. Beautiful."

"What happened?"

Isabella looked toward the window.

"Vittorio told me she would be safer away from me."

Dominic's jaw tightened.

"And you believed him?"

"No."

Her voice sharpened.

"I fought him."

She wiped her tears.

"I refused to let another child disappear."

"What did he do?"

"He sent doctors."

Dominic felt cold.

"Doctors?"

"They told me Serena had a serious illness. That she needed treatment I couldn't provide."

"Was she sick?"

"I don't know."

The admission broke something in her.

"I never saw an independent medical report. I was frightened, and I had already lost Anthony."

Dominic lowered his eyes.

"Then?"

"Vittorio arranged her transfer."

"To Bellwether?"

"To a private pediatric facility that later became part of Bellwether's network."

Dominic felt his pulse hammer.

"What happened afterward?"

"Letters came for a few months. Then a death certificate."

Another death certificate.

Another child removed under the explanation of specialized medical care.

Another mother denied the chance to say goodbye.

"Did you see Serena afterward?"

Isabella shook her head.

"Never."

Dominic looked at the photograph.

The woman beside Gabriel appeared to be in her late thirties.

The age matched.

But that didn't establish her identity.

"Isabella, whoever sent this wants us to believe Serena is alive."

She stared at the image.

"And she looks like Elena."

Dominic nodded.

Isabella slowly reached toward the screen.

"She has my eyes."

Her voice trembled.

"But that doesn't mean she's my daughter."

Dominic was surprised by the caution.

After decades of grief, Isabella had every reason to embrace the possibility.

Instead, she whispered, "I've believed too many things because I wanted them to be true."

At 4:37 p.m., Adrian located the painting in the background of the photograph.

It depicted a red-and-white lighthouse standing beside a rocky harbor.

A regional artist had produced a limited series of nearly identical paintings decades earlier.

Several had been purchased by private medical facilities.

One was documented at a former Bellwether guest residence.

The property stood near Rockland.

Dominic studied the location.

"Anthony was photographed near a ferry terminal there."

Adrian nodded.

"Yes."

"Then the woman may be using one of Charles's properties."

"Possibly. I've given Mitchell the information."

Dominic looked toward Isabella.

She was sitting silently beside the window.

"Can the building be checked?"

"Investigators are coordinating with local authorities. The photograph alone doesn't prove Gabriel is inside."

Dominic clenched his fists.

He knew Adrian was right.

But tomorrow was October 14.

The birthday deadline.

The trust verification.

And Gabriel was still missing.

"How long before we know?"

"We're trying to establish occupancy now."

Dominic walked toward the terrace.

He was beginning to feel like a man chasing shadows through a maze his family had spent forty years constructing.

Then Adrian spoke again.

"Dominic, there's something else about Serena."

He turned.

"What?"

"I found an old Bellwether personnel file."

"Under her name?"

"Under a different name."

Dominic frowned.

"Which?"

Dr. Sarah Voss.

Dominic stopped moving.

"Voss?"

"Yes."

"Peter Voss?"

Adrian nodded.

"The file lists Peter as her emergency contact."

Dominic stared.

The former Moretti fixer.

The man who had given Luca the silver key.

The man whose credentials were used during the attempted abduction.

The man who had apparently been helping Anthony expose Bellwether.

And now his surname appeared beside Isabella's supposedly dead daughter.

"Is she his wife?" Dominic asked.

"There's no marriage record I've found."

"His daughter?"

"The ages don't fit comfortably, and there's no documented parent-child relationship."

"Then what?"

Adrian hesitated.

"Her employment file identifies Peter Voss as her legal guardian."

Dominic felt cold.

"Since when?"

"Since 1994."

Seven years after Serena's birth.

Dominic stared toward the sea.

If the documents were genuine, Vittorio had arranged for Peter Voss to raise the daughter Isabella believed was dead.

The same Peter Voss who later worked as Vittorio's fixer.

A guardian entrusted with one hidden child.

Then involved in moving another generation of children.

"Where is Peter now?" Dominic asked.

"Still missing."

Dominic's expression hardened.

"Find him."

At Seabrook, Dr. Whitmore had agreed to speak with Detective Mitchell by video.

Elena remained nearby, but the investigator directed the questions.

"Dr. Whitmore, do you recognize the name Sarah Voss?"

The neurologist froze.

Elena noticed immediately.

Mitchell continued.

"Dr. Whitmore?"

He swallowed.

"Yes."

"Who is she?"

"A medical administrator."

"At Bellwether?"

"Previously."

"Did she work with Gabriel?"

Whitmore looked away.

"She was involved in his placement."

"What does that mean?"

"She oversaw the nonclinical administrative arrangements."

"Did she have access to his medical records?"

"Yes."

"Could she authorize transfers?"

"Through the foundation's administrative systems."

Elena felt her stomach tighten.

"Did she impersonate me?"

Whitmore closed his eyes.

"I don't know who personally used your identification."

"But you recognize her?"

He nodded.

"Yes."

"Did Gabriel know her?"

A long silence.

Then Whitmore whispered, "He called her Mother."

Elena gripped the back of her chair.

Mitchell leaned forward.

"Why?"

Whitmore looked exhausted.

"Because she told him she was."

The room fell silent.

Elena stared.

For six years, Gabriel had been raised by people who lied about his father's knowledge.

Who concealed his mother's identity.

Who changed his medical and legal records.

And apparently one woman had encouraged him to believe she was his mother.

Elena felt tears gathering.

"Did he love her?"

Whitmore looked at her.

The question surprised him.

Then he answered quietly.

"I think he did."

Elena looked away.

It hurt.

But it wasn't Gabriel's fault.

He was a child who had needed someone to love.

And someone had stepped into the space Elena had been forced to leave empty.

At 5:52 p.m., Dominic received a new message.

Unknown number.

Isabella told you about Serena.

He stared.

Another message followed.

Good. Now ask her why Serena was taken.

Dominic typed immediately.

Where is Gabriel?

The reply came after several seconds.

He's safe with me.

Dominic felt his pulse quicken.

Are you Sarah Voss?

A pause.

Then:

That is one of my names.

Dominic stared.

Are you Serena Venturi?

No answer.

He typed again.

Your mother is here. She wants to meet you.

The response appeared almost immediately.

She isn't my mother.

Dominic frowned.

Isabella gave birth to Serena.

Another message followed.

Giving birth doesn't make someone a mother.

Dominic felt anger rise.

He forced himself to remain calm.

Gabriel has a mother. Her name is Elena Rossi.

This time, the response took nearly a minute.

Elena abandoned him.

Dominic stared.

She was threatened. She was told he died. You know that.

Silence.

Then:

I know what she was told.

Dominic's expression changed.

Then why keep him from her?

The answer came quickly.

Because Gabriel knows what Elena doesn't.

Dominic felt cold.

What does he know?

A photograph appeared.

Gabriel sat at a small wooden table.

Before him lay several drawings.

One depicted five newborn babies.

Another showed two women standing beside a hospital bed.

One woman wore a white coat.

The other wore a dusty rose dress.

Dominic stared.

The second woman was clearly meant to represent Elena.

The first appeared to represent Sarah.

Beneath the drawing, in a child's uneven handwriting, were four words.

THEY CHANGED THE BABIES

Dominic closed his eyes.

Then his phone rang.

The unknown number.

He answered immediately.

"Where is my son?"

A woman's voice replied.

"Hello, Dominic."

His entire body went still.

He remembered that voice.

Six years earlier.

At the hospital.

A woman had approached him in the corridor after he spent hours trying to locate Elena.

She had told him Elena had already been discharged.

That she didn't want to see him.

That leaving her alone was the kindest thing he could do.

He had believed her.

And now she was on the phone.

"Sarah."

A soft laugh.

"So you remember."

"What did you do to Elena?"

"I saved her."

"From what?"

"From your family."

"You stole her child."

A pause.

"That's an interesting accusation coming from a Moretti."

Dominic clenched his jaw.

"Where is Gabriel?"

"Safe."

"Let me speak to him."

She hesitated.

Then a small voice sounded.

"Daddy?"

Dominic stopped breathing.

For a moment, he couldn't speak.

Gabriel.

His son.

"Gabriel?"

"Yes."

Dominic closed his eyes.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?"

The boy hesitated.

"I'm tired."

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

"Is someone taking care of you?"

"Yes."

Dominic swallowed.

"Do you know who I am?"

Another pause.

"Sarah says you're my father."

Dominic felt tears burn behind his eyes.

"Yes, Gabriel. I am."

The boy was quiet.

Then he whispered, "Did you really not know about me?"

Dominic's heart broke.

"No, sweetheart. I didn't know."

"Are you coming?"

He gripped the phone.

"Yes."

"Promise?"

Dominic closed his eyes.

"I promise I'll do everything I can to reach you safely."

Gabriel sniffled.

"Okay."

Then the line changed.

Sarah returned.

"Enough."

Dominic's expression hardened.

"You've had six years with him. His mother deserves to hear his voice."

"Elena will see him when it's safe."

"Safe from whom?"

Sarah paused.

"From the person who ordered the original switch."

Dominic went cold.

"Richard?"

"No."

"Charles?"

Another silence.

Then Sarah whispered, "You're still asking the wrong questions."

Dominic clenched his fist.

"Tell me who ordered it."

Sarah's voice softened.

"Come to the old Bellwether residence near Rockland. Bring Isabella. No Richard. No Charles."

"Gabriel needs an independent medical evaluation."

"He'll get one."

"Then let the authorities arrange it."

Sarah was silent.

Finally, she said, "Bring Detective Mitchell if you insist. I want the truth recorded."

Dominic was surprised.

"You'll cooperate with her?"

"If she comes to listen."

"Then give me the exact address."

Sarah provided one.

Adrian immediately began checking it.

Before ending the call, Sarah spoke again.

"Dominic?"

"What?"

"Ask Isabella whether Vittorio ever showed her Serena's death certificate."

Dominic glanced toward the sitting room.

"She said he did."

"Then ask her whose signature was on it."

The call ended.

At 6:31 p.m., Isabella examined the old certificate.

She had kept it in the same wooden box as Anthony's photographs.

The document was dated November 1987.

It identified Serena Venturi as deceased following complications from a congenital condition.

Dominic examined the signature.

The certifying physician's name was partially faded.

But the surname remained visible.

HART

Dominic stopped.

"Evelyn?"

Isabella shook her head.

"I don't know."

Adrian leaned closer.

"Could be another doctor with the same surname."

Dominic nodded.

They needed verification.

Then Adrian examined the physician's license number.

He entered it into an archived professional directory.

A record appeared.

DR. MARGARET HART

Evelyn's older sister.

Dominic felt cold.

Evelyn Hart had spent years claiming she tried to uncover Bellwether's deception.

But now her family name appeared on another death certificate connected to a child supposedly lost decades earlier.

"Did Evelyn ever mention a sister?" Dominic asked.

Adrian shook his head.

"Not to me."

Isabella stared at the paper.

"Does this mean Serena was never dead?"

"Not by itself," Adrian answered carefully. "It means the death certification warrants investigation."

But Isabella wasn't listening.

She had begun trembling.

"Anthony survived."

Her voice broke.

"And Serena might have survived."

Dominic looked at her.

For forty-two years, she had carried two separate griefs.

Now both were being challenged.

She covered her mouth.

"Why would Vittorio do this to me?"

Dominic had no answer.

At 7:14 p.m., Adrian confirmed that the address Sarah provided belonged to a former Bellwether guest residence.

The property had been purchased through a private company eighteen months earlier.

The company's registered director was Sarah Voss.

But the ownership chain led to another name.

Dominic stared at the screen.

"Who?"

Adrian turned the laptop.

EVELYN MARGARET HART

Dominic felt his stomach tighten.

"She owns it?"

"Through a holding company. The records suggest she has a controlling interest."

Dominic looked toward Isabella.

Then back at Adrian.

"Sarah is staying at a property connected to Evelyn."

"Yes."

"And Evelyn claims she doesn't know where Gabriel is."

"Correct."

Dominic's expression hardened.

"Another coincidence."

Adrian shook his head.

"I wouldn't assume that."

Dominic stared at the screen.

Then he called Elena.

"Keep Evelyn available for Mitchell. We found a property connected to her where Gabriel may be staying."

Elena became silent.

"What?"

Dominic explained.

When he finished, she whispered, "I trusted her."

"So did I, for a while."

"Do you think she's working with Sarah?"

"I think we have enough reason to investigate."

Elena looked toward the sitting room.

Evelyn was seated beside a security officer.

Her face was exhausted.

But when she noticed Elena watching, she immediately looked away.

"Dominic," Elena whispered, "there's something wrong."

"What?"

"Evelyn just received a message."

"From whom?"

"I don't know."

Elena lowered her voice.

"But she started crying."

Dominic felt cold.

"Don't confront her. Tell Mitchell."

"All right."

Then Elena stopped.

"Wait."

"What?"

Evelyn was standing.

She had placed one hand against her chest.

Her breathing appeared labored.

The security officer moved toward her.

Then Evelyn collapsed.

Elena gasped.

"Dominic, she's down!"

He straightened.

"Call emergency medical services."

"Marco already has."

"Don't move her unless the responders instruct you."

Elena knelt nearby as the security officer assessed Evelyn.

The older doctor was conscious but struggling to speak.

Her lips moved.

Elena leaned closer.

"What?"

Evelyn gripped her wrist.

"Tell Dominic..."

Elena swallowed.

"What?"

The doctor's voice was barely audible.

"Sarah isn't Serena."

Elena froze.

"What?"

Evelyn's eyes filled.

"She stole her identity."

Then she lost consciousness.

At 7:49 p.m., paramedics transported Evelyn to a nearby hospital.

Her condition was serious but not yet explained.

Elena remained at Seabrook with the children.

Dominic listened to her account in silence.

"She said Sarah isn't Serena?" he repeated.

"Yes."

"And that Sarah stole the identity?"

"Yes."

Dominic looked toward the address in Rockland.

The woman holding Gabriel had claimed one of several names.

Sarah Voss.

Possibly Serena Venturi.

A woman who looked like Elena.

A woman connected to Peter Voss.

And now Evelyn was claiming that even this identity was false.

"Did she say anything else?" Dominic asked.

"No."

Elena's voice trembled.

"Dominic, what if Sarah isn't trying to reunite Gabriel with us?"

He closed his eyes.

"That's why we're involving Mitchell."

"Please be careful."

He looked toward the living room.

Isabella stood beside the fireplace, clutching Serena's old photograph.

"I will."

At 8:23 p.m., Dominic, Adrian, Isabella, and Detective Mitchell arrived outside the former Bellwether residence near Rockland.

The building stood beyond an old stone gate.

It was a large white house overlooking a sheltered inlet.

A red-and-white lighthouse rose in the distance.

The same lighthouse from Gabriel's photograph.

A porch light glowed above the entrance.

Two police vehicles remained discreetly positioned nearby while Mitchell coordinated with local officers.

Dominic stared at the house.

Somewhere inside, Gabriel might finally be waiting.

Seven years old tomorrow.

Six years stolen from his mother.

A boy who loved astronomy.

A boy who had learned Elena's lullaby from strangers.

Dominic took a breath.

Mitchell approached the entrance first.

She knocked.

No answer.

She knocked again.

Then the door opened.

A woman stood in the hallway.

Brown hair.

Dark eyes.

The same delicate features as Elena.

She wore a pale blue blouse and dark trousers.

Dominic's stomach tightened.

Sarah.

She looked past Mitchell toward Isabella.

Her expression changed.

"Mother."

Isabella began shaking.

"Serena?"

The woman smiled.

"Hello."

Isabella took a step forward.

Dominic caught her arm gently.

"Wait."

Sarah's expression hardened.

"Still protecting everyone, Dominic?"

He ignored her.

"Where's Gabriel?"

"Upstairs."

"Can we see him?"

Sarah looked toward Mitchell.

"Are you here to arrest me?"

"I'm here to verify the child's welfare and investigate the allegations of identity fraud and unlawful confinement," Mitchell replied.

Sarah studied her.

Then stepped aside.

"Come in."

The house was quiet.

Too quiet.

A grandfather clock ticked in the hallway.

The walls displayed landscapes and old photographs.

Dominic noticed several images of children.

Gabriel.

Daniel.

The boy known as Anthony.

All at different ages.

All apparently taken inside Bellwether facilities.

Sarah watched him examining them.

"You see?" she said.

"They weren't abandoned."

Dominic turned sharply.

"Having photographs doesn't mean they weren't taken from their families."

Her smile faded.

"I gave them what nobody gave me."

"What?"

"A home."

Isabella began crying.

"Serena, please."

Sarah looked at her.

For a moment, something uncertain crossed her face.

Then she said coldly, "Don't call me that."

Isabella froze.

"But you—"

"That name belonged to someone else."

Dominic felt his pulse quicken.

Evelyn had been right.

Sarah wasn't Serena.

At least, Sarah herself was now rejecting the identity.

"Then who are you?" he asked.

She looked at him.

"Someone your father created."

Dominic stared.

"What does that mean?"

Sarah turned toward the staircase.

"Come upstairs."

Mitchell raised a hand.

"First, we need to confirm Gabriel is safe."

Sarah nodded.

"He's in the second bedroom."

Dominic began climbing the stairs.

His heart hammered with every step.

At the top, a narrow corridor led toward three closed doors.

Sarah stopped outside the middle room.

She opened it.

Gabriel sat beside a window with a small telescope in his lap.

He looked up.

For several seconds, neither father nor son moved.

Then Gabriel whispered, "Daddy?"

Dominic felt tears burn behind his eyes.

"Yes, sweetheart."

The boy stared.

"You're real."

Dominic crouched slowly.

"I'm real."

Gabriel placed the telescope down.

"Did you come to take me home?"

Dominic swallowed.

"I came to make sure you're safe and help bring you back to your family."

Gabriel looked toward Sarah.

She nodded once.

The boy slid from his chair.

He stood, unsteady but upright.

Then took several small steps toward Dominic.

Dominic reached out.

Gabriel stopped just beyond his arms.

His eyes were filled with uncertainty.

"Will Mommy be angry?"

Dominic's heart broke.

"No."

"Because I didn't come sooner?"

"Never."

The boy's lips trembled.

Then he moved forward.

Dominic caught him gently.

For the first time in his life, he held Gabriel Moretti.

His son.

The child who had spent six years believing his parents abandoned him.

The boy who had been hidden behind forged documents, locked doors, and medical records designed to erase his identity.

Dominic buried his face in Gabriel's hair.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

Gabriel wrapped his small arms around his neck.

"Don't cry, Daddy."

But Dominic couldn't stop.

Downstairs, Isabella confronted Sarah.

"Who are you?"

The woman stood beside the fireplace.

For the first time, her confidence seemed to crack.

"My name is Sarah Voss."

"Is that your birth name?"

"No."

"Are you my daughter?"

Sarah looked away.

"I don't know."

Isabella stared.

"What?"

"Peter raised me. He told me I was Serena. Later, I found records suggesting that wasn't true."

"Then why bring me here?"

Sarah's eyes filled.

"Because I wanted you to see what your family did."

Isabella stepped closer.

"I didn't do anything to you."

Sarah laughed bitterly.

"That's what they all say."

Detective Mitchell remained nearby.

"Sarah, we need the records that establish your identity and your role in Gabriel's care."

Sarah nodded slowly.

"I have them."

"Where?"

She looked toward the staircase.

"In the locked room."

Dominic, now carrying Gabriel, appeared at the top of the stairs.

Gabriel rested his head against his shoulder.

Sarah saw them.

Her expression changed.

For a moment, grief crossed her face.

Then she whispered, "He loves you already."

Dominic looked at her.

"He's my son."

Sarah lowered her eyes.

"I know."

Gabriel lifted his head.

"Sarah?"

She looked up.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Are you coming?"

The question silenced the room.

Sarah smiled sadly.

"I don't think so."

Gabriel's face crumpled.

"But you promised."

Dominic felt the boy stiffen in his arms.

"What did she promise you?" he asked gently.

Gabriel looked at Sarah.

"That she'd tell me who I really am."

Dominic stopped.

Sarah closed her eyes.

Then whispered, "Gabriel, not now."

The boy shook his head.

"You said when Daddy came, you'd tell him."

Dominic looked from one to the other.

"Tell me what?"

Sarah's expression hardened.

She turned toward Mitchell.

"I want legal counsel before I answer questions about the transfers."

Mitchell nodded.

"That's your right."

But Gabriel wasn't finished.

He looked directly at Dominic.

And spoke a sentence that made every adult in the room go still.

"Daddy, they told me Gabriel wasn't my first name."

Dominic felt cold.

"What was?"

The boy hesitated.

Then whispered:

"Anthony."

Isabella stopped breathing.

Gabriel continued.

"They said I had to forget it."

Sarah covered her mouth.

Dominic looked toward the woman.

"Why?"

She shook her head.

"Dominic, please."

But Gabriel reached into the pocket of his sweater.

He removed a folded piece of paper.

"I kept this."

Dominic carefully accepted it.

It was a photograph of five newborn babies.

The same photograph that appeared throughout the Bellwether records.

But something had been written beneath the fifth incubator.

Not Gabriel.

Not Anthony.

A different name.

Dominic unfolded the final corner.

INFANT E — MATERNAL NAME: SLOANE BARRETT

The room became silent.

Dominic stared.

The record was another unverified fragment from a system that had falsified identities for decades.

Yet it was enough to raise a horrifying possibility.

What if the boy Dominic had just embraced as Gabriel was not biologically his son?

What if Gabriel's identity had been assigned to another infant?

And what if Elena's actual fifth baby was still somewhere else?

Dominic slowly looked toward Sarah.

"Where is the original Baby E?"

Sarah's eyes filled.

For several seconds, she said nothing.

Then she whispered:

"That's the one question Charles Barrett was willing to kill to keep unanswered."

Gabriel tightened his arms around Dominic's neck.

And Sarah delivered the final revelation.

"The child Elena gave birth to as Baby E was never taken to Bellwether."

Dominic stopped breathing.

"Then where did he go?"

Sarah looked toward Isabella.

Then back at Dominic.

"He was taken to the Moretti conservatory."

The same place where Dominic had been expected to propose to Sloane Barrett.

The same estate where Richard had gathered both families.

And, according to Sarah, the place where Elena's real fifth son had been hidden in plain sight.