Chapter 19 - The Woman Who Was Never Supposed to Be Found
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Three weeks after Christmas, Charlotte called with news I hadn't dared hope for.
“Michael, we have confirmation.”
I stood immediately.
“Of what?”
“Elena Vega is alive.”
For several seconds, the room seemed to stop moving.
I gripped the edge of my desk.
“Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
“Where is she?”
“Her attorney has confirmed her identity and arranged a confidential meeting.”
I closed my eyes.
Four years.
For four years, Renee had lived believing her first mother was dead.
For four years, I'd told my daughter that people could love us even after they were gone.
And now I was learning the woman who gave birth to her might be alive somewhere, carrying an entirely different kind of grief.
“Why didn't she contact me?” I asked.
Charlotte spoke carefully.
“That's something Elena should explain herself. But we know she received threats connected to the missing financial records, and she believed approaching the family could put her children at risk.”
I sat down.
“What happens to Renee?”
“Nothing changes automatically. You're her legal father. Any questions about the original proceedings must be addressed through the courts with her welfare at the center.”
I exhaled.
That mattered.
Renee wasn't a document someone could transfer from one adult to another.
She was a little girl with feelings, memories, fears, and a home.
Charlotte continued.
“I recommend we involve her therapist before discussing a possible meeting.”
“I agree.”
I looked toward the family photograph on my desk.
Renee was sitting on my shoulders at a summer carnival.
Both of us were laughing.
I had no intention of allowing another adult battle to steal that happiness.
That afternoon, investigators informed Charlotte that the challenge to my adoption had not produced evidence supporting an immediate change in Renee's care.
The court had required the parties to address the disputed records through proper proceedings.
There was no order removing Renee from my custody.
I felt some of the tension leave my body.
Then I received a message from Paula.
Dad is furious. Mom hasn't stopped crying. The lawyers are asking questions about Victor.
I didn't respond.
The trust investigation was expanding.
Several people associated with Havenbridge had agreed to provide documents.
Financial institutions were preserving records.
The false information surrounding Elena's reported death was under review.
For once, my parents couldn't make the problem disappear simply by telling everyone to be quiet.
That evening, I sat beside Renee while she finished a picture.
She had drawn a house with a red roof.
Three windows.
A tall tree.
And two small children standing beside the front door.
I pointed gently.
“Who are they?”
Renee smiled.
“Me and my friend.”
“What friend?”
She thought for a moment.
Then shrugged.
“I don't remember his name.”
My heart tightened.
I didn't push.
Instead, I asked:
“Are you happy here, princess?”
She looked at me as though the answer were obvious.
“Of course.”
“Good.”
She climbed onto my lap.
“Daddy, are you going to be sad forever?”
I held her gently.
“No.”
“Promise?”
I kissed her forehead.
“I'm going to work on being happy with you.”
She considered that.
Then smiled.
“That's good, because I want to make snow angels tomorrow.”
I laughed softly.
“We'll make as many as you want.”
Later that night, Charlotte sent me a message.
Elena's attorney had confirmed the meeting.
The next morning.
A private office in downtown Chicago.
Then Charlotte added one more sentence.
Michael, Elena says she has information about Lucas that was never included in the records.
I stared at the message.
For the first time, finding Renee's brother seemed possible.
May you like
But I had no idea whether the truth would bring another child home—
Or expose an even darker part of the DeLuca family's past.
