Chapter 1
“Janelle, you’re shameless, and 1, James Moore, refuse to call you my daughter!”
“Dad, what are you talking about?” Janelle Moore asked.
“You know damn well what I mean.” James snorted. “The Fletchers just called off the wedding! Adrian swore he never touched you, so that child can’t be his. It’s a bastard!”
A sharp crack echoed as he struck Janelle’s face. She pressed a protective hand over her bump, tears welling up as she paped at him in disbelief.
“No way. This is Adrian’s child. We were together at Casselwyn Hotel seven months ago, the night before he traveled overseas on a business trip for Moore Group. That’s the night I conceived!”
“That’s not true. Uncle James, Janelle’s lying” Catherine Moore, Janelle’s cousin, stood beside him, her voice quiet. “Adrian was with me that whole, night seven months ago. We went home together. There’s no way he was at that hotel.”
The ground seemed to vanish under Janelle. Her head swam, vision blurring, as if she’d taken a physical blow. She gripped the couch behind her for support, her legs threatening to give out.
If Adrian Fletcher wasn’t with her that night, then who was?
James‘ expression went thunderous when she heard Catherine’s words. He jabbed a finger at Janelle, his voice dripping with venom. “Get out now! And don’t you dare come back. This is how you repay the Moores after everything we have done for you? You’re no daughter of mine. Stay gone!”
Long after he had stormed away, Janelle remained frozen in place, too stunted to move.
Seven months ago, Adrian was the one who’d invited her to that hotel. It had been her first time sleeping with someone. The room stayed dark, but….
How was that possible? When did things start to go wrong?
Catherine crossed the space between them in quick strides, her usually sweet face now twisted in a disturbing smirk.
She leaned in close, her breath warm against Janelle’s ear as she murmured, “I might as well tell you now, Janelle. That guy at the hotel? He was a hideous creep, handpicked just for you by me and Adrian.”
Janelle’s head snapped up, her face turning ghostly white, “How dare you… I’ve been standing up for you since we were kids, Catherine. What did I do to deserve this?”
Catherine’s s smile grew as she watched Janello’s stunned reaction. “Adrian and I are in love, but you were always in the way. Uncle James kept picking you over me, so what choice did I have? I had to get rid of you.
“Oli, and one more thing. I’m your father’s daughter, too.”
The words hit Janelle like a punch to the gut.
Catherine was James‘ illegitimate child? And her own fiance had been working with Catherine to betray her?
Janelle stood frozen, her heart aching, like a knife had just twisted inside it. But the worst was yet to come.
A sudden phone call cut through the air, yanking her back to the moment. “Are you Ms. Quinn Beck’s daughter?”
The voice was detached, and a sick dread twisted in Janelle’s gut.
“Yes I am,” she said
“Ms. Beck was in an accident on Blyvine Street. She didn’t survive. We found your number in her phone…‘
A numb buzzing filled Janelle’s ears, her thoughts scattering like smoke. The voice kept talking, but the words were just noise
Quinn had died in a car crash.
THOW.
Janelle stood frozen for a long moment before the shock crumbled into raw grief Tears spilled down her checks as she choked out a question about where it happened.
s face twisted or Then, she ran outside, her pregnant frame moving as fast as it could. She didn’t notice how Catherine’s
the venom flashing in her eyes.
Outside, the rainy season had turned the world into a blur. The downpour was so heavy that Janelle could barely see past her own feet.
Açar horn blared out of nowhere at the traffic light. Headlights flashed in her eyes, and then a car hit her, knocking her off her foot and slamming her
into the mud.
Elve years flew by in the blink of an eye.
A young voice rang out inside a private hospital’s office building, “I’m so juan world–me!”
so hungry, Mommy! If you
Η u starve me, youll lose the cutest little treasure in the
Tiffany Lake–subbed dramatically.
A gorgeous woman set her book down at the desk and sighed in ford exasperation. “You had a big breakfast before we left. How are you already hungry helore non
The woman speaking was Janelle, who had disappeared without a trace after the car accident five years ago.
Tiffany nodded eagerly at Janelle’s words, her big watery eyes full of longing.
“Mommy, I want fried chicken, chicken skewers, pizza, barbecue, juice…” she blurted out in one breath as if reciting a well–practiced list.
Janelle sighed and rubbed her forehead, wondering how she’d ended up with such a little foodie.
They were still locked in their little standoff whens Hannah Quayle’s voice floated in from the doorway, “Juice delivery!”
Hannah and femelle had own each other forever. They’d been college roommates and shared everything. Hannah had also been a great help when Janelle “died” five years ago..
Tiffany’s face lit up the second she recognized the voice outside the door. Without a second thought, she left Janelle behind and hurried over.
“Hannah! You’re finally here. I’ve missed you so much!” Tiffany exclaimed.
Hannaleclicked her tongue, “Sure you did. You just missed the juice 1 brought.”
She handed the juice to Tiffany, her eyes lingering on the striking faces of Tiffany and Janelle.
She gushed, as she often did. “Every time I see your kids, I start thinking maybe I want some, too. Luckily, I’m good at resisting temptation. Seriously, how gorgeous are th
Those big eyes and that perfect little nose. No way your awful stepsister was telling the truth. If that guy was really some hideous monster, how did you end up with two little angels like them?
Janelle’s face tensed for a split second before she frowned at Hannah. Hannah immediately realized this wasn’t the best topic to bring up in front of Tiffany and quickly mimed zipping her lips.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
The past resurfaced, bringing Janelle’s memories flooding back.
She’d b
In a car accident back then, but luckily, she only had minor injuries. Despite her aching stomach, she made her way to Blyvine Street–the address the caller had given her to find Quinn
Everything was chaotic when Janelle arrived at the accident scene. Quinn’s body was nowhere in sight.
She searched for what felt like forever until exhaustion finally took over, sending her into premature labor. She thought her streak of bad luck was over, but right after giving birth, she was abducted.
Janelle had three children. The baby boy didn’t make it, and the two girls were hurt. She was forced to relocate abroad with her girls, Tiffanny and Bella, so they could recover.
Bella’s underlying illness left her frail even after live years, so Janelle only brought Tiffany back to their home country.
Janelle had endured years of hardship, but now, she was done. Revenge would be hers, and she’d find her children’s father to cure Bella.
“Hannah, I want glazed donats!” Tiffany said, her voice soft but pleading.
Hannah couldn’t resist giving Tiffany’s cheek an affectionate pinch before turning to Janelle “Go ahead with your work. I’ll take her to get some donuts.” Janelle blinked, snapping out of her thoughts, and nodded. “Okay, but be careful. The Fletchers are searching the city for us. Don’t let them spot you‘ “Don’t worry, I’ll stay sharp,” Hannah said with a smile.
Once they left, a quiet ding sounded from Janelle’s computer. A new inrssage had arrived,
