That evening, after a long day helping at Catherine's cafe, Hannah and Rachel returned to the small room Catherine had given them in her house. Hannah sat quietly on the bed, her eyes distant, fingers nervously clutching the edge of her shawl.
Rachel placed two plates of food on the table and said softly, "You should eat, Hannah. You'll need your strength for tomorrow."
Hannah shook her head. "My heart is heavy, Rachel. Somewhere in this same city, my daughter is crying for me. How can I eat knowing she's out there without me?"
Rachel sat beside her. "Listen to me. We will find her. But you must stay strong. Tomorrow, we'll go to David's office again . We'll face him directly. Even if he denies it, we'll keep searching. You're not alone in this."
For the first time that day, Hannah's lips curved into a small smile. "Thank you. Without you, I would have already given up."
Meanwhile, across town…
David had just arrived home. He walked into the living room, holding an envelope in his hand. Inside was Felicity's birth certificate, newly signed and stamped. He smiled faintly, as though he had achieved something great.
Victoria, sitting on the sofa, glanced at the envelope. "What's that?" she asked.
David paused, his hand resting on the arm of the sofa. For a moment, he considered brushing it off as just "office paperwork" , but then he exhaled slowly.
He opened his briefcase, pulled out the crisp, newly stamped document, and handed it to her. "It's Felicity's birth certificate."
Victoria froze, her eyes widening. She slowly took the paper from his hands and read it carefully.
Name of child: Felicity
Father: David
Mother: Victoria
Date of birth: March 27
Her lips trembled as she read her own name written as the mother of a child she had not carried, had not given birth to.
"David…" her voice cracked with disbelief, "you… you put my name here? You told the hospital that I am her mother?" and Yet you declare her as your her father? What is this David ?, how can you do this, giving her all these rights?
David leaned closer, his tone firm yet almost pleading. "Victoria, listen to me. Felicity is ours now. I had to make it official. With this document, no one can take her away from us. She will grow up as our daughter, alongside Isabelle."
Victoria's hands shook as she held the certificate. Her heart pounded in her chest. How can he say she's ours when I know she isn't?
Her eyes burned with tears, but she blinked them back. Looking at David, she whispered, "You've crossed a line, David. This… this is not right."
But David only rested his hand on hers, squeezing it with determination. "It's done, Victoria. She belongs here now. We must protect her as our own."
Victoria looked down at the paper again, the weight of the lie pressing on her chest. For the sake of peace, she stayed silent—but inside, her world was breaking apart.
That night, long after David had fallen asleep beside her, Victoria lay awake staring at the ceiling. The house was silent, but her heart was loud—pounding with questions, fears, and anger she could not express aloud.
She turned her head slightly and looked at David sleeping peacefully. How does he sleep so easily after forging something so big? she wondered bitterly.
Her eyes shifted to the crib in the corner of the room where Isabelle and Felicity often slept together. Felicity's small body was curled close to Isabelle, her tiny chest rising and falling gently with each breath. The sight made Victoria's heart ache.
"Sweet girl…" she whispered under her breath, careful not to wake them. You're innocent. None of this is your fault. But why did he bring you here? Why he lies to the world and even to me?
Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of the certificate still tucked away in David's drawer. The paper had her name printed boldly as Felicity's mother, yet she knew the truth—that another woman out there, somewhere, was crying for this child.
Victoria closed her eyes tightly, trying to quiet her mind. But David's words echoed inside her: "Felicity is ours now… She belongs here."
She turned onto her side, clutching the blanket as though it could calm her storm. We already have Isabelle. We are a family. Why wasn't that enough for you, David?
The guilt of keeping silent pressed on her chest. She wanted to scream, to tell him this was wrong, but fear held her back—fear of losing her marriage, fear of breaking their family apart.
As the night dragged on, she made a silent vow in her heart: I will protect Isabelle, because she is innocent. But one day, David… the truth will catch up with you. And when it does, I don't know if I'll still be standing by your side.
With that heavy thought, Victoria finally closed her eyes. But her sleep was restless, haunted by the weight of a secret she never asked to carry.