CHAPTER 6 The Hidden Heir
Nobody spoke.
The room felt smaller.
Daniel stared at the document.
The words blurred.
A second identity.
Another child.
Another secret.
"No."
His voice was quiet.
"No, this is fake."
Victoria shook her head.
"I wish it was."
Daniel looked at her.
"You expect me to believe my entire life was a lie?"
"I expect you to accept reality."
Emma watched them carefully.
Because something about Victoria's reaction bothered her.
She wasn't angry.
She wasn't afraid.
She looked relieved.
Like she had been waiting years for this moment.
Daniel noticed too.
"You knew."
Victoria didn't answer.
"You knew all along."
"Yes."
The answer destroyed something inside him.
Daniel stepped back.
"My whole life..."
He laughed bitterly.
"You let me believe I was my father's son."
"You were his son."
"Then who is this?"
Victoria looked at Emma.
"Ask her."
Everyone froze.
Emma pointed at herself.
"Me?"
Victoria nodded.
"The girl who broke the coffin."
Daniel looked confused.
"What does she have to do with this?"
Victoria smiled.
"Everything."
Emma felt cold.
"No."
Victoria walked closer.
"Richard didn't choose you randomly."
"Stop."
"You think he hired you because he needed help around the house?"
Emma said nothing.
"Richard Harrington never trusted strangers."
Daniel looked at Emma.
"Who are you?"
Emma stared at the floor.
Because there was a truth she had spent her entire life hiding.
A truth she promised never to reveal.
But now...
The coffin was open.
The secrets were coming out.
"My real name..."
Her voice shook.
"...isn't Emma Carter."
Daniel waited.
Victoria whispered:
"Tell him."
Emma closed her eyes.
Then said:
May you like
"My name is Emma Harrington."
The room went silent.
