Chapter 312

The private investigator's report remains vividly etched in my mind.

"A four-year-old missing for this long was most likely abducted," he told us back then.

But all we received was endless silence.

Three months later, the police gently suggested there was little hope.

Teresa Taylor suddenly broke down, covering her face as tears streamed through her fingers.

Anthony Taylor quickly stepped forward, pulling his wife into his arms. "Don't cry. Our daughter has returned. That's a good thing..."

"It's all my fault," Teresa's voice shattered. "If only I'd watched her more closely that day..."

Anthony patted his wife's back, his own eyes red-rimmed when he turned to me. "She almost... all these years... Thank goodness we adopted Annabelle later..."

The teacup trembled slightly in my hand, spilling droplets onto the table.

I pulled out a tissue and mechanically wiped the surface.

"One last question."

"Go ahead."

"Did Alexander Hamilton and I know each other as children?"

Anthony froze. "We moved next to the Hamiltons a year after adopting Annabelle."

He paused. "Alexander was very excited back then, talking about some promise... Later, he treated Annabelle exceptionally well..."

"He mistook her for me?"

"...Possibly. Annabelle wore all your old clothes..."

I took a deep breath, my chest heavy as if weighed down by a stone.

"What's wrong?" Anthony asked with concern.

"Nothing."

"There are no outsiders here. You can say anything."

"Aside from Emily Zade, who else knows my true identity?"

"Not for now. But once the paternity test results come out, we must—"

"No need." I cut him off. "I have just one request."

"Name it."

"Keep this secret. Forever."