Chapter 211

By the time Evelyn and Derek brought her parents home from the hospital, it was evening already.

Derek pushed the door open with his shoulder, balancing Claire's suitcase in one hand and holding the doorframe with the other.

Evelyn followed close behind, her arm linked with her mother's.

Eric shuffled in last with his duffel bag in hand.

Claire let out a soft sigh of relief as she stepped inside, her fingers lightly brushing over the back of the couch. "It's good to be out of the hospital finally," she murmured, her voice warm but tinged with exhaustion. Maya appeared from the kitchen, her smile wide and welcoming.

"Welcome!" she greeted, stepping forward to help. Her eyes flickered to the suitcase in Derek's hand. "Let me take that upstairs for you."

Derek shook his head with a small smile. "Thanks, but I've got it."

Reluctantly, she stepped back, allowing Derek to carry the bag upstairs on his own. As he left, she disappeared into the kitchen, promising to bring refreshments.

"Is it just me? Why does Maya seem restless?" Claire asked as she eased herself onto the couch, leaning back against the cushions.

Her face was still pale, but there was a spark of liveliness in her eyes that hadn't been there days ago.

Evelyn smiled, "habit. I guess she doesn't know how to stay still."

"The house feels so quiet without Samantha," Eric remarked, glancing around as if expecting the little girl to come running into the room. His tone was light, but there was a hint of wistfulness beneath his words. "She will be back tomorrow," Evelyn reassured him, sitting beside her mother and giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "She's been asking about Mom non-stop."

"I can't wait to see her. And I hope you will also bring her over to spend weekends with us when we return to the house," Claire asked hopefully.

"Sure, I will, Evelyn promised, and Claire smiled, the kind of soft, maternal smile that made Evelyn's chest tighten with warmth.

Maya returned moments later, carrying a tray with glasses of fresh watermelon juice and a plate of cookies. She set it down carefully on the coffee table before taking a seat across from them. "How are you feeling now?" Maya asked, her voice kind and genuine.

"Apart from the occasional headache, much better." Claire picked up a glass of watermelon juice and took a small sip. "Thank you for helping Evelyn take care of things around the house."

Maya's cheeks flushed, and she looked down, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's nothing, really. I'm happy to help."

Eric, who had been quietly observing, reached for his own glass.

"We're grateful, Maya."

"If everyone had a nanny like you, life would be easier for working mothers," Claire said with an easy smile.

The comment hung in the air, seemingly harmless, but Evelyn felt her pulse quicken. She glanced at Derek, who had just returned to the room and was taking his seat across from her. He met her gaze, and with a slight nod, she urged him on. Derek leaned forward in his seat. "Actually"" Derek began, his voice serious, "there's something we need to talk to you about."

Claire and Eric exchanged a curious look, their attention shifting to Derek. Claire set her glass down, her brows knitting together in concern. "What is it, Derek?"

Derek looked toward Maya, and she gave him a small smile. He took a deep breath and said, "We recently discovered that Maya is my sister. My biological sister."

Claire's eyes widened in shock as she turned to look at Maya. Eric blinked, his face a mixture of confusion and disbelief.

had a sister," Eric said, looking from Derek to Maya and then to Evelyn

about his sister, how Derek had begun remembering fragments of his childhood,

accident, and the findings that had led them to Maya. They explained the

her frown

they finished, she turned

"Where were you raised?"

softly, her hands folded

I

if she were about to speak, but then she stopped herself. She shook her head slowly, her expression troubled. "Cavenspot..." she murmured, almost to herself. "That can't be a

her head again as if trying to dispel a nagging thought. "It's just... it all sounds familiar, but it doesn't make sense.

do you know?"

I see the picture you talked about?" She asked instead, and Maya nodded

traced the edges of the locket. Her eyes were wide, the color draining from her face. "How can this

tighter, staring at the tiny photographs as if they were ghosts from her past. "I know

forward, his voice urgent. "You knew them? How? Who were they

flickered to Derek and then to Maya. She opened her mouth and closed it again as though the words were too heavy to say. Finally, she took a

she said. "Back then, I was married to someone... someone terrible. A man named Victor Harding." Her lips twisted at the name, and her shoulders sagged under an invisible weight. Derek frowned, "Is that Sandra's father? The one you mentioned the last time who was arrested for murder

didn't care who he hurt to get

hand flew to her mouth, her

heard

low. "I ran from that life. From

silently, reached out to gently squeeze her hand. "Take your time, he said softly, knowing that this wasn't

clutching the locket. The weight of her words seemed to drag the room into a

people in

they were

know them well, but I knew enough to see they were good. Your mother, her name

Joy!.ne

Reed. Victor wanted to shut them up. Your father had found... evidence. Something incriminating about Victor and his

about?" Evelyn asked,

used to work as a construction

was hoping I'd never have to bring this

a contractor at Stone Corp have to do

buildings under construction collapsed, and several workers were injured, and some died. There were rumors that the little Stone boy was at the site and got hurt too,

still anymore.

glanced at him, not knowing what to say or do since she was shocked

continue, Derek's phone buzzed

screen and saw the investigator's name flashing. "Excuse me," he said quickly, stepping

accident in

tightened on

identified as Elena and

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