CHAPTER 21 THE TWO NURSERIES
Claire heard Margaret’s confession.
She stopped at the top of the stairs.
“What did he sign?”
Nathan looked at Margaret.
“I signed the family trust documents before the wedding.”
“You signed away our child?”
“I didn’t know.”
“Did you read them?”
Nathan said nothing.
That silence was enough.
Claire released his hand.
The bell rang again.
This time, the floor shook.
Gabriel moved between them.
“You can destroy each other after we find the baby.”
Claire descended alone.
The stairway ended at two identical white doors.
A painted number marked each one.
ONE.
TWO.
A baby cried behind both doors.
Claire stood perfectly still.
Nathan reached for the first handle.
“No.”
He looked at her.
Claire closed her eyes.
The cries continued.
One was loud and rhythmic.
The other was softer, followed by a small choking breath.
Claire pointed toward the second door.
“That’s her.”
Nathan forced it open.
A newborn lay inside a heated crib.
A white blanket covered her body.
Claire rushed forward.
Then she stopped.
The child was alive.
But she was not Claire’s daughter.
Her hair was lighter.
Her nose was different.
A tag around her ankle carried only one number.
Seven.
Nathan searched the room.
There was no second exit.
Claire lifted the baby carefully.
“Who is she?”
A man answered from the doorway.
“My daughter.”
Gabriel turned.
The second Gabriel stood behind them.
Gideon.
He carried no weapon.
Without the dark jacket, the differences were easier to see. His hair was slightly shorter. His face was thinner. There was no scar on his shoulder.
Evelyn made a sound between a gasp and a sob.
“Gideon.”
His eyes moved toward her.
“You remembered the name.”
“I gave you that name.”
“No. You whispered it once before they carried me away.”
Gabriel raised his weapon.
“Where is Claire’s child?”
Gideon ignored him.
He looked at Claire and the infant marked Seven.
“That baby was taken from another clinic yesterday.”
“Why?”
“Because Cole always prepared more than one heir.”
“Cole is dead,” Nathan said.
Gideon smiled without humor.
“You keep repeating that like a prayer.”
Claire stepped toward him.
“Where is my daughter?”
“Safe.”
“Take me to her.”
“Bring me the Shaw ledger.”
Gabriel’s expression changed.
“What ledger?”
“The original record containing every child Cole stole. Margaret removed it from Blackwood before the fire.”
Everyone turned toward Margaret.
Her face revealed the truth.
Nathan moved toward her.
“You have it?”
“I was protecting the families.”
“You were protecting yourself.”
Gideon pointed toward the chapel passage.
“Bring Margaret and the ledger to the chapel.”
“And then?” Claire asked.
“You leave with your child.”
Nathan stepped closer to Gideon.
“Why should we trust you?”
“You shouldn’t.”
Gideon backed into the corridor.
“But Veronica has already ordered the child moved.”
Claire held the unknown baby tighter.
“Where?”
“Somewhere none of you will search.”
He disappeared through the first nursery door.
Gabriel followed him, but the room beyond was empty.
A hidden wall had closed.
Margaret moved toward the chapel passage.
Nathan blocked her.
“What is beneath the chapel?”
Margaret looked terrified for the first time.
“Cole’s private cemetery.”
“Why does Gideon want it opened?”
“He doesn’t.”
“Then who does?”
May you like
Margaret looked toward the floor as the bell rang again.
“If the chapel opens tonight, everyone will discover that some of the children Cole buried are still alive.”
