Chapter 1

In the oppressive swelter of August, a sense of restlessness pervaded the air.

Outside the orphanage gate, a well–kept middle–aged woman, her eyes swollen and red from crying, barely able to stand, was supported by her husband, Sanderson Delaney. “Is this our poor lost daughter?” she asked.

Sanderson also had reddened eyes, nodding. “Yes.”

Sanderson and his childhood sweetheart, Lorna Wilson, were a picture of marital bliss, but their daughter went missing under tragic circumstances. After 18 years of searching, hope had faded. Yet, surprisingly, their prayers were answered when they found her in an orphanage.

Sanderson’s gaze shifted to the two approaching him, settling on the polite girl trailing behind the headmistress.

She sported a white baseball cap, dressed in a clean set of blue jeans and a t–shirt, her hair neatly tied back in a ponytail, and her fair face featured delicate features, with beautiful and clear eyes looking at them, misty and bewildered.

Compared to the emotional couple, she seemed too calm.

Sanderson blinked in confusion.

As they drew closer, the headmistress presented the girl to them. “Mr. and Mrs. Delaney, this is Cordelia Delaney

girl, she said, “Lia, these are your parents. They’ve

Cordelia’s gaze finally focused, settling

restraint and longing, her lips trembling with the desire to connect, yet tentative

Cordelia spoke softly, “Hello.” Her tone

loudly. “Oh, my darling girl, I have finally found you! You’ve suffered so

Cordelia

away seemed too harsh.

in her dilemma, Cordelia noticed Sanderson signaling the headmistress, and they stepped away slightly. In a voice he thought she couldn’t hear, Sanderson asked the headmistress in a low tone, “Miss, there’s nothing wrong with Lia, is there?” gesturing to his head.

headmistress quickly responded, “Not at all. Cordelia is intelligent, a real genius. She’s known in our orphanage for her brilliance. She’s more absorbed in her studies than social interactions, so she might seem a bit slow to respond.”

A genius?

sighed in relief,

receded slowly as the car moved away until it turned a corner and was out

that. After they left, a sleek black Range Rover

two

Watkins, we’re a step too late.”

Chapter 1

the back seat sat rigidly, his jawline firm. The dim light in the car cast his nearly perfect

intensity that made it difficult to

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