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."

shock as she turned to look at Maya. Eric blinked, his face a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "Your sister?" Claire repeated, leaning forward slightly. "How is

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

turns explaining everything-how Michael had first told Derek about his sister, how Derek had begun remembering fragments of

findings that had led them to Maya. They explained the necklace and everything that pieced

her frown deepening with

she turned to Maya, her gaze

"Where were you raised?"

Maya replied softly, her hands folded in

where I grew

but then she stopped herself. She shook her head slowly, her expression troubled. "Cavenspot..." she murmured, almost to herself. "That can't

"It's just... it

it's something. What do you know?"

and Maya nodded as she took off the necklace and passed

saw the pictures in the locket, she froze. Her breath hitched, and her hand trembled as she traced the edges of the locket. Her

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

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

to Maya. She opened her mouth and closed it again as though the words were too heavy to say. Finally, she took a deep breath, her voice trembling

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

nodded, "Victor was a dangerous man. Ruthless. He didn't care who

her mouth,

never heard about

never mentioned him," Claire admitted, her voice low. "I ran from that life. From him. But

hand. "Take your

paused, her fingers still clutching the locket. The weight of her

people in

they were kind,

didn't know them well, but I knew enough to see they were good. Your mother,

Joy!.ne

in the neighboring town from Cavenspot. Your father was a journalist. His name was Carter Reed. Victor wanted to shut them up. Your father had found... evidence. Something incriminating about Victor

the evidence about?" Evelyn asked, and her

work as a construction contractor at Stone Corp..." "Stone Corp?" Derek asked with a deep frown,

hoping I'd never have to bring this

Stone Corp have to do with our father?" Maya asked, unable to

died. There were rumors that the little Stone boy was at the site and got hurt too, but it was never confirmed," she said, and Derek rose from his seat,

still anymore.

glanced at him, not knowing what to say or do

Derek's phone buzzed in

name flashing. "Excuse me," he said quickly, stepping aside to take

voice was brisk and direct. "I looked into the major accident in the outskirts of the Cavenspot area

grip tightened on the

couple identified as

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