Chapter 5: The Man Who Stole My Childhood
Adrian's mansion stood behind iron gates on a private stretch of Fifth Avenue.
I'd seen expensive buildings before.
I'd slept outside some of them.
But I'd never imagined walking through the front door of one.
The foyer was enormous, with a crystal chandelier hanging above a staircase made of white marble.
A woman in a dark uniform approached.
"Welcome home, Mr. Kane.""
Adrian gestured toward me.
"Have the east guest suite prepared. New clothes, toiletries, anything she needs. And arrange for a doctor.""
I stopped walking.
"Why do I need a doctor?""
Adrian turned.
"Because you've spent ten years living outside. I want to make sure you're healthy.""
"I'm not helpless.""
His expression softened.
"I know. You survived things most people couldn't imagine. But letting someone help you isn't weakness.""
I didn't answer.
Elena was standing near the staircase, staring at an old family portrait.
"Adrian?""
He turned.
"What is it?""
"Your father used to keep something in his study. A red leather ledger.""
Adrian frowned.
"I've never seen it.""
"Vincent brought it to the mansion after the fire. He said it contained your grandfather's final instructions.""
Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Why are you telling me this now?""
"Because your grandfather didn't leave Isabella only money.""
She looked toward me.
"He left her the controlling shares of Kane Holdings.""
Adrian went completely still.
"That's impossible. Vincent has controlled the company for ten years.""
"Only because everyone believed Isabella was dead.""
Marco stepped forward.
"Sir, if the original trust documents still exist, the controlling shares may legally belong to Wren.""
I stared at him.
"Wait. What?""
Adrian looked at me.
"You may own more of the company than my uncle.""
I laughed nervously.
"I used to sleep outside a laundromat. I don't know anything about running a company.""
"You wouldn't have to run it tomorrow," Adrian replied.
Elena approached and touched my cheek.
"Your grandfather wanted you protected. He never wanted money to become a burden.""
I looked at her.
"Then why did nobody protect me?""
She closed her eyes.
"Because I failed you.""
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Adrian's phone rang.
Marco checked the caller identification.
"Sir, it's the investigator.""
Adrian answered.
"Tell me you found something.""
A man's voice came through the speaker.
"Mr. Kane, we located Margaret Lewis. She's alive.""
Adrian straightened.
"Where?""
"She's living in a care facility in Queens under a different name. She agreed to meet you, but she specifically requested that Wren come with you.""
I looked at Elena.
Her face had gone pale.
"Margaret is alive?""
"Yes, ma'am," Marco answered.
Elena grabbed the back of a chair.
"Then she knows what happened.""
Adrian ended the call.
"We're leaving in twenty minutes.""
But before we could move, the housekeeper appeared carrying a large white box.
"Mr. Kane, this was delivered for Miss Wren.""
Adrian frowned.
"Who delivered it?""
"A courier. He refused to leave a name.""
I stared at the box.
There was a gold ribbon around it.
My name was written on the lid.
Not Wren.
*Isabella Kane.*
My fingers went cold.
Adrian carefully opened the box.
Inside was a beautiful white dress, a pair of diamond earrings, and a small envelope.
The envelope contained a photograph.
It showed me as a little girl, sitting on a hospital bed.
A woman stood behind me.
Her face was partially hidden, but I could see her hand resting on my shoulder.
On the back was a message:
You were supposed to forget everything. Why didn't you?
Adrian read it twice.
"Marco, seal the property. Nobody enters or leaves without authorization.""
Marco immediately contacted the security team.
Elena stared at the photograph.
"That's Margaret.""
I looked closer.
The woman behind the little girl had a small tattoo on her wrist.
A red rose.
Suddenly, a memory struck me.
A woman pressing a finger against my lips.
"Don't tell anyone your real name, sweetheart.""
I grabbed the edge of the table.
"She told me to call myself Wren.""
Elena covered her mouth.
"What?""
"Margaret. She told me that name.""
Adrian stepped closer.
"Are you sure?""
I nodded.
"She said it would keep me safe.""
Elena started crying.
"Then she was protecting you.""
"From whom?""
Nobody answered.
I picked up the photograph again.
There was another detail I hadn't noticed.
A hospital bracelet around my tiny wrist.
The date was October 14.
And beneath my name was a second line.
*PATIENT 02 — FEMALE TWIN.*
I looked at Adrian.
"Mother said I had a sister.""
Elena nodded slowly.
"Yes.""
"Then why does this say twin?""
Her face drained of color.
She took the photograph from me and examined the bracelet.
Then she whispered:
"Because you weren't supposed to be the only child who survived that night.""
Adrian turned toward her.
"What does that mean?""
Elena looked at the staircase, then back at us.
"I gave birth to identical twin girls.""
I couldn't breathe.
"Where is the other one?""
Elena's lips trembled.
"Your grandfather took her away before the fire.""
Adrian's voice became cold.
"Why?""
Elena looked directly at me.
"Because he believed one of his granddaughters would destroy the entire Kane family.""
Before I could ask another question, Marco's phone rang.
He listened for several seconds.
Then his expression changed.
"Sir, we've got a problem.""
Adrian turned.
"What?""
"Margaret Lewis has disappeared from the care facility.""
"How?""
May you like
Marco swallowed.
"Someone checked her out using your uncle's authorization.""
