Chapter 2

2

Silas brought Andy back to the Sterling estate.

Martha, the head housekeeper, was busy dusting when she saw Andy's face. She dropped her cloth in shock.

"This child... he looks just like Mrs... I mean, Miss Su," Martha stammered, catching herself.

It was clear Silas had banned my name from the house. Even my former title was a sin to speak.

Silas's face was like a thundercloud, dark and heavy.

"Martha, go to the storage unit. Find whatever junk Nina left behind. See if there's anything with her DNA on it."

"Yes, sir. Right away," Martha said, scurrying off to avoid the tension.

Silas was suspicious. He suspected Andy belonged to me.

It was hard to deny. Andy had my eyes, and he was holding my locket.

I floated through the hallways of my former home. It looked nothing like the place I remembered. Every trace of me had been scrubbed away.

I doubted Martha would find anything easily.

Sure enough, it took thirty minutes for her to emerge from the basement, covered in dust.

She was holding an old teddy bear I used to love. A single strand of my hair was caught in the fur.

Martha handed the hair to Liam.

Liam then knelt beside Andy, speaking softly. "Andy, can I have a piece of your hair? Just one."

Andy nodded obediently.

Liam secured both samples.

"I want the results the second they're ready," Silas ordered.

Liam left, leaving Silas, Martha, and Andy in a suffocating silence.

Andy stood in the center of the grand foyer, not daring to twitch.

He peeked at his surroundings with wide, fearful eyes, occasionally glancing at the cold man who was his father.

Martha was a kind soul. Years ago, when everyone else looked down on me, she was the only one who showed me warmth. She felt for Andy now.

But she was just an employee. She wanted to comfort him, but she didn't dare cross Silas.

After what felt like an eternity, Silas finally spoke.

"Martha, take him upstairs. Scrub him down and find him some clean clothes."

"Right away, sir!"

Martha took Andy's hand and led him up the grand staircase.

As the warm water hit his skin in the bath, a look of pure relief washed over Andy's face.

After the divorce, I had been left with nothing. We had lived in poverty, struggling to even find enough to eat. Andy hadn't felt luxury in years.

"Don't be scared, little one," Martha whispered as she washed him. "You're safe now."

Watching them, my soul felt a rare moment of peace. I was so grateful for her.