Mia could not remember how long she had been sitting on the floor.

Minutes.

Hours.

Maybe an entire lifetime.

The words Daniel had spoken continued to echo inside her mind.

Three babies.

Not two.

Three.

Mia looked at Ethan.

He was standing near the window, staring outside.

Neither of them had spoken since Daniel revealed the truth.

Finally, Mia whispered:

“Who was the third child?”

Daniel didn’t answer.

Mia stood.

“Please.”

Daniel looked at her.

His face was filled with sorrow.

“I don’t know.”

Mia shook her head.

“You said there were three babies.”

“Yes.”

“Then you must know.”

“I know the child existed.”

“Who was it?”

Daniel looked at Ethan.

Then at Mia.

“Your mother knew.”

Mia’s heart tightened.

“My mother.”

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t she tell me?”

“Because she was afraid.”

“Of Margaret?”

Daniel nodded.

“Margaret wasn’t the only person involved.”

Ethan turned.

“Who else?”

Daniel’s expression changed.

“Robert.”

Ethan froze.

“My grandfather?”

“Yes.”

“But Robert was working with Margaret.”

“Not always.”

Mia looked confused.

“What does that mean?”

Daniel walked toward the window.

“Twenty years ago, Robert and Margaret were fighting.”

“About what?”

“Money.”

Ethan shook his head.

“That’s what this is all about?”

“No.”

Daniel looked at him.

“It was about power.”

Mia stepped closer.

“Explain.”

Daniel sighed.

“Robert wanted to control the Cole family business. Margaret wanted control of the family.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Robert wanted money.”

He looked at Mia.

“Margaret wanted people.”

Mia didn’t understand.

Daniel continued.

“She wanted Ethan.”

Ethan’s face hardened.

“Why?”

“Because Ethan was the heir.”

Daniel paused.

“And because Margaret knew that if Ethan disappeared, the family fortune would eventually belong to her.”

Mia felt cold.

“So she took him?”

“Yes.”

“From his mother?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t anyone stop her?”

“Because Margaret made sure no one could.”

Ethan looked at Daniel.

“Why didn’t you?”

Daniel’s eyes filled with tears.

“I tried.”

“Not hard enough.”

“Ethan.”

“You left me.”

“I was trying to save you.”

“You let me believe you were dead.”

“I had to.”

“Why?”

Daniel looked at him.

“Because Margaret threatened to kill Mia.”

Silence.

Mia froze.

Ethan looked at her.

Daniel continued.

“She told me that if I ever returned for you, she would kill her.”

Mia’s voice shook.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because you were the only thing Margaret couldn’t control.”

Mia stared.

“She wanted Ethan.”

Daniel nodded.

“She wanted him to inherit everything.”

“And me?”

“You were the proof.”

“Proof of what?”

Daniel looked away.

“That the Cole family had another heir.”

Mia understood.

If she was Ethan’s twin, she was also connected to the family fortune.

But why had Margaret wanted Ethan?

Daniel answered before she could ask.

“Because Margaret believed you would choose Ethan.”

Mia frowned.

“Choose him for what?”

“To give up your inheritance.”

Ethan stepped forward.

“What inheritance?”

Daniel looked at both of them.

“Your grandfather left everything to the twins.”

Mia froze.

“What?”

“The company.”

“The fortune.”

“The properties.”

“Everything.”

Ethan shook his head.

“Why?”

“Because Robert changed his will before he disappeared.”

Mia stared.

“Then Margaret—”

“Is not the owner.”

Ethan looked shocked.

“Who is?”

Daniel smiled sadly.

“You.”

Mia couldn’t breathe.

“Me?”

“Both of you.”

Ethan stared at his father.

“You and Mia are the rightful heirs.”

Mia sat down.

This was too much.

She had spent her whole life believing she was ordinary.

A girl who worked in a small company.

A girl who wanted to become a writer.

A girl who had never had much money.

Now she was being told she was the heir to a fortune.

And Ethan was her twin.

Her fake boyfriend.

Her real love.

Her entire life was a lie.

“Why didn’t you tell us?”

Daniel looked at Mia.

“Because you were safer without knowing.”

Mia laughed bitterly.

“Safer?”

She stood.

“Look at what happened.”

Her voice broke.

“I lost my mother.”

“I lost my father.”

“I lost my childhood.”

“And now I find out I have a twin.”

She looked at Ethan.

“And the person I love is my brother.”

Ethan immediately stepped forward.

“No.”

Mia looked at him.

“No?”

“We’re not brother and sister.”

“Daniel said—”

“We’re twins.”

“Exactly.”

Ethan shook his head.

“No.”

Mia stared.

“What do you mean?”

Ethan looked at Daniel.

“Tell her.”

Daniel became silent.

Mia’s heart began racing.

“Tell me what?”

Ethan looked at her.

“You’re not my twin.”

Mia’s eyes widened.

“What?”

Ethan’s voice was quiet.

“You’re not my sister.”

Mia looked at Daniel.

“Is that true?”

Daniel nodded.

“Yes.”

Mia couldn’t breathe.

“But you said—”

“I said there were three babies.”

Daniel looked at her.

“One was Ethan.”

“One was the third child.”

“Then who am I?”

Daniel looked at Mia.

“You’re the daughter of Sarah Bennett.”

Mia stared.

“Then who is Ethan’s mother?”

“Elena.”

“Then why did you say we were twins?”

“I never said that.”

Mia froze.

She remembered.

Robert had said it.

They were twins.

Not Daniel.

Not her father.

Robert.

The lie had come from him.

Mia looked at Ethan.

“We’re not related.”

“No.”

She began crying.

Ethan stepped closer.

Mia didn’t move away.

“We’re not brother and sister.”

“No.”

She laughed through her tears.

“Then why did Robert say it?”

“Because he wanted to destroy us.”

Mia looked at Daniel.

“Why?”

Daniel’s answer was simple.

“Because he knows you’re in love.”

Mia’s heart stopped.

Ethan took her hand.

This time, she didn’t pull away.

Daniel continued.

“Robert wants you to separate.”

“Why?”

“Because if you stay together, you’ll discover the truth.”

“What truth?”

Daniel looked at them.

“The third child.”

Mia’s heart began racing again.

“Who is it?”

Daniel hesitated.

Then he said:

“Your mother had three children.”

Mia froze.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“My mother had three children?”

“Yes.”

“Where are they?”

“Two survived.”

Mia’s eyes widened.

“Me and who?”

Daniel looked at Ethan.

“Not Ethan.”

Mia stared.

“Then who?”

Daniel said nothing.

Mia’s voice became desperate.

“Tell me!”

Daniel finally answered.

“Your sister.”

Mia stopped breathing.

“I have a sister?”

“Yes.”

“Where is she?”

“Missing.”

“For how long?”

“Twenty years.”

Mia’s knees became weak.

“Why?”

“Because someone took her.”

“Who?”

Daniel looked toward the door.

“Robert.”

Mia covered her mouth.

Ethan stared at his father.

“Why would my grandfather take her?”

“Because she was the third heir.”

Mia’s mind raced.

“The third heir?”

“Yes.”

“Then why isn’t she with us?”

“Because Robert hid her.”

“Where?”

“We don’t know.”

Mia began crying.

“How could you not know?”

“We searched.”

“Not enough!”

Daniel lowered his head.

Mia walked away.

She couldn’t breathe.

A sister.

Somewhere in the world.

A girl who had grown up without her.

A girl who had been stolen from her family.

A girl who might be searching for them too.

Ethan followed Mia.

“Mia.”

She turned.

“Don’t.”

He stopped.

“I need a minute.”

“Okay.”

She walked outside.

The sun was setting.

The sky was turning dark.

Mia stood beside the lake.

Ethan watched her through the window.

Daniel approached him.

“She loves you.”

Ethan looked at him.

“I know.”

“Do you love her?”

“Yes.”

“Then protect her.”

“From what?”

“Everyone.”

Ethan frowned.

“Who?”

“Robert.”

“Margaret?”

Daniel shook his head.

“Margaret is dangerous.”

“But Robert is worse.”

“Why?”

“Because he has nothing left to lose.”

Ethan looked toward Mia.

“What does he want?”

Daniel’s voice became quiet.

“The third child.”

Ethan froze.

“Why?”

“Because she knows where the money is.”

“What money?”

“The money Robert stole.”

Ethan’s face changed.

“From the company?”

“No.”

“Then what?”

Daniel looked at him.

“Twenty years ago, Robert stole something worth far more than money.”

“What?”

“The truth.”

Ethan stared.

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“It will.”

Daniel walked away.

Ethan followed.

“Wait.”

Daniel stopped.

“What?”

“Tell me everything.”

Daniel turned.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Because if I tell you, you’ll go looking for her.”

“Yes.”

“And if you find her, Robert will find you.”

“I don’t care.”

Daniel grabbed his arm.

“I do.”

Ethan looked at him.

“She’s my sister.”

“She isn’t your sister.”

Ethan froze.

Daniel looked at Mia.

“She’s Mia’s sister.”

Ethan understood.

“Then she’s my—”

“Your sister-in-law.”

The word made Ethan smile slightly.

For the first time that day, something felt normal.

Then Daniel said:

“If you marry Mia.”

Ethan’s smile disappeared.

Daniel walked away.

Ethan stared after him.

Marriage.

The word remained in his mind.

He and Mia had started with a fake relationship.

Now he was imagining something real.

A future.

A life.

A family.

He didn’t know if they would survive the truth.

But he knew he wanted to try.

Outside, Mia sat near the lake.

Ethan walked toward her.

She looked up.

“Are you okay?”

“No.”

He sat beside her.

“Me neither.”

Mia looked at him.

“Did you know?”

“Know what?”

“About my sister.”

“No.”

“About the inheritance?”

“No.”

“About Robert?”

“No.”

She sighed.

“We’re terrible at this.”

“At what?”

“Being normal.”

Ethan laughed.

Mia smiled.

Then she looked serious.

“Ethan.”

“Yes?”

“If we find my sister…”

“We will.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I won’t stop.”

Mia looked at him.

“Why?”

“Because she’s your family.”

She smiled sadly.

“And you?”

“What about me?”

“Are you my family?”

Ethan looked into her eyes.

“No.”

Mia’s heart stopped.

Then he continued:

“I’m something else.”

“What?”

He moved closer.

“Something I can’t explain.”

Mia smiled.

“That’s a terrible answer.”

“It’s the only one I have.”

She leaned against him.

For a while, they watched the lake.

Then Ethan whispered:

“Do you still want to leave?”

Mia looked at him.

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t want to run anymore.”

Ethan took her hand.

“Good.”

Mia looked at their joined hands.

“I love you.”

“I love you too.”

They leaned toward each other.

Then a sound came from behind them.

A branch breaking.

Ethan immediately stood.

“Who’s there?”

No answer.

He stepped toward the trees.

Mia followed.

“Ethan.”

“Stay here.”

“No.”

He looked at her.

“I’m not leaving you.”

They walked together.

Nothing.

Only darkness.

Then Mia saw something.

A small box.

It was lying beneath a tree.

She picked it up.

Her name was written on it.

MIA.

She opened it.

Inside was a necklace.

Mia recognized it immediately.

Her mother had worn the same necklace.

But there was something else.

A letter.

She opened it.

Dear Mia,

If you found this, then you know about your sister.

Mia’s hands began shaking.

Ethan stood beside her.

Her name is Lily.

Mia stopped breathing.

“Lily.”

Ethan looked at her.

“My sister’s name is Lily.”

They continued reading.

I couldn’t protect her.

I tried.

But Robert took her from me.

He promised he would keep her safe.

I believed him.

I was wrong.

Mia’s eyes filled with tears.

The letter continued.

Lily is alive.

Mia covered her mouth.

Ethan took her hand.

And she is closer to you than you think.

Mia looked at Ethan.

“What does that mean?”

The letter had one final sentence.

She has been watching you for years.

Mia’s heart raced.

“Watching me?”

Ethan looked around.

“Maybe we’re not alone.”

Suddenly, a woman’s voice came from behind them.

“You’re not.”

Mia turned.

A young woman stood beneath the trees.

She had dark hair.

Green eyes.

And a small scar above her eyebrow.

Mia stared at her.

The woman looked exactly like her.

Mia couldn’t breathe.

Ethan stepped forward.

“Who are you?”

The woman looked at Mia.

Tears filled her eyes.

“Mia.”

Mia’s lips trembled.

“How do you know my name?”

The woman smiled sadly.

“Because I’ve been waiting twenty years to say it.”

Mia’s heart stopped.

The woman stepped into the moonlight.

“My name is Lily.”

Mia couldn’t move.

Her missing sister.

Alive.

Standing in front of her.

After twenty years.

Mia slowly walked toward her.

“Lily?”

The woman nodded.

Mia began crying.

“So did I.”

Lily smiled.

Then Mia ran to her.

They embraced.

Two sisters.

Finally reunited.

But Lily wasn’t smiling anymore.

She whispered:

“We don’t have much time.”

Mia pulled away.

“Why?”

Lily looked toward the dark road.

“Because Robert knows I’ve found you.”

Ethan stepped forward.

“Where is he?”

Lily looked at him.

“He isn’t the one you should be afraid of.”

“Then who?”

Lily looked at Mia.

“Your mother.”

Mia froze.

“My mother is dead.”

Lily shook her head.

“No.”

Mia couldn’t breathe.

“She’s alive.”

Silence.

Ethan stared.

“Where?”

Lily looked toward the road.

“She’s with Robert.”

Mia’s heart broke.

“Why?”

Lily’s eyes filled with tears.

“Because she is the one who helped him take me.”

Mia stepped backward.

“No.”

“I’m sorry.”

“My mother would never.”

Lily looked at her.

“She did.”

Mia shook her head.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not.”

“Why should I believe you?”

Lily reached into her coat.

She pulled out a photograph.

Mia looked at it.

Her mother.

Sarah.

Standing beside Robert.

And between them…

Lily.

A little girl.

Mia’s hands began shaking.

On the back of the photograph was one sentence.

I gave them Lily to save Mia.

Mia dropped the photograph.

She couldn’t breathe.

Her mother had chosen her.

She had sacrificed Lily.

For her.

Mia fell to her knees.

“No.”

Lily knelt beside her.

“She thought she was protecting you.”

“She left you.”

“Yes.”

“She gave you away.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Lily began crying.

“Because Robert told her he would kill you if she didn’t.”

Mia stared.

The same threat.

The same story.

The same lie.

Someone had been using her life as a weapon for twenty years.

Ethan knelt beside Mia.

“This isn’t your fault.”

Mia looked at him.

“It is.”

“No.”

“I survived.”

“So did Lily.”

“Because she suffered.”

“That’s not your fault.”

Mia began crying.

Lily held her hand.

“We have to find Mom.”

Mia looked at her.

“Why?”

“Because she’s in danger.”

“From Robert?”

Lily shook her head.

“From Margaret.”

Ethan stood.

“Why?”

Lily looked at him.

“Because Margaret knows the truth.”

“What truth?”

Lily’s eyes moved between them.

“The truth about the night Elena died.”

Ethan froze.

“My mother.”

Lily nodded.

“She didn’t die in an accident.”

“We know.”

“No.”

Lily’s voice became quiet.

“You don’t know.”

Mia stared.

“What happened?”

Lily looked toward the lake.

“Elena discovered that Margaret was planning to kill Sarah.”

Mia’s heart stopped.

“Why?”

“Because Sarah was going to expose her.”

“Expose her for what?”

Lily looked at Ethan.

“For killing Daniel.”

Ethan froze.

“My father?”

Lily nodded.

“He didn’t disappear.”

Mia stared.

“Then what happened?”

Lily whispered:

“Margaret killed him.”

Ethan stepped backward.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“You’re lying.”

“Your father discovered the truth.”

“Which truth?”

“That Robert had stolen the money.”

Ethan shook his head.

“But Robert is the villain.”

“He is.”

“Then why did he help Margaret?”

“Because they were partners.”

Lily looked at Mia.

“Until they turned against each other.”

Mia couldn’t follow anymore.

“Where is my mother?”

“With Robert.”

“Why?”

“Because she knows where the evidence is.”

“What evidence?”

“The proof that Margaret killed Daniel.”

Ethan’s eyes widened.

“If we find it…”

“Then Margaret goes to prison.”

Mia stood.

“Then we find it.”

Lily shook her head.

“It’s not that easy.”

“Why?”

“Because the evidence is hidden.”

“Where?”

Lily looked at Ethan.

“In the one place Margaret will never search.”

Ethan frowned.

“Where?”

Lily smiled.

“With you.”

Ethan froze.

“Me?”

Lily nodded.

“Your mother hid it before she died.”

“Where?”

Lily pointed toward the lake house.

“In your room.”

Mia stared.

“My room?”

Lily shook her head.

“No.”

“Then whose?”

Lily looked at Ethan.

“Your mother’s.”

Ethan’s face went pale.

“The old estate.”

Lily nodded.

“Exactly.”

Mia took Ethan’s hand.

“We have to go.”

Ethan looked at her.

“Now?”

“Now.”

They started walking.

Then Lily stopped them.

“Wait.”

Mia turned.

“What?”

Lily looked terrified.

“There’s something else.”

“What?”

Lily looked at Ethan.

“Robert told me something before I escaped.”

“What?”

“He said the evidence isn’t the only thing hidden in that house.”

Ethan frowned.

“Then what else is there?”

Lily looked at Mia.

“The truth about who killed Elena.”

Ethan froze.

Mia’s heart stopped.

Lily continued:

“And the person who killed her…”

She paused.

“…wasn’t Margaret.”

Silence.

“Then who?” Ethan asked.

Lily looked at him.

“I don’t know.”

“How do you know?”

“Because Robert told me.”

Ethan stepped forward.

“What did he say?”

Lily whispered:

“He said Elena wasn’t killed by one person.”

Mia’s heart began racing.

“Then who?”

Lily looked at them.

“Three people.”

Ethan stared.

“Who?”

Lily’s eyes filled with fear.

“Margaret.”

“Robert.”

“And…”

She stopped.

Mia waited.

“And someone who is still alive.”

A car engine suddenly roared in the distance.

Everyone turned.

Headlights appeared between the trees.

Lily’s face went pale.

“He’s here.”

“Who?”

Lily grabbed Mia’s arm.

“Robert.”

Ethan stepped forward.

“We have to go.”

They ran toward the lake house.

But before they reached the door, Mia heard a voice behind her.

“Mia!”

She stopped.

A man stood beside the road.

Robert.

He looked directly at her.

Then he smiled.

“Come with me.”

Ethan stepped in front of her.

“Stay away from her.”

Robert laughed.

“You still don’t understand.”

“Understand what?”

Robert looked at Mia.

“Your sister isn’t the only person your mother gave away.”

Mia froze.

“What does that mean?”

Robert’s smile disappeared.

“Ask Lily.”

Mia turned.

Lily was gone.

Mia’s heart stopped.

“Lily?”

No answer.

She looked around.

“Lily!”

Ethan grabbed her hand.

“She’s gone.”

Mia’s eyes filled with tears.

Robert smiled.

“She’s coming with me.”

Mia screamed:

“No!”

Robert stepped toward his car.

“Come find her.”

Then he looked at Ethan.

“And bring your fake girlfriend.”

The car disappeared into the darkness.

Mia stood frozen.

Ethan held her.

“We’ll find her.”

Mia looked at him.

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

“But what if—”

“We’ll find her.”

Mia nodded.

Then she looked toward the road.

Her sister was gone again.

Her mother was alive.

Her father was missing.

Her grandmother was dangerous.

And the man who had destroyed their families was still free.

But there was one thing Mia knew now.

She was no longer running.

She had spent twenty years losing people.

Now she was going to bring them home.

Mia turned toward Ethan.

“Let’s go.”

“Where?”

“To your mother’s room.”

Ethan looked at her.

“Why?”

“Because Lily said the evidence is there.”

“And if we find it?”

Mia’s eyes hardened.

“We end this.”

They entered the house.

But neither noticed the shadow standing in the distance.

A woman watching them.

A woman holding a photograph.

A woman with tears in her eyes.

Mia’s mother.

Sarah Bennett.

She watched her daughter disappear inside the house.

Then she whispered:

“I’m sorry, Mia.”

She looked at the photograph in her hand.

It showed three babies.

Mia.

Lily.

And Ethan.

But there was something written on the back.

Something Sarah had hidden for twenty years.

Only one of them is Daniel’s child.

Sarah closed her eyes.

Because the truth was finally coming.

And when Mia discovered who her real father was…

The love story she had built with Ethan would face its greatest test yet.