Chapter 386
Alexander Hamilton's gaze pierced Evelyn Carter like a blade.
His pupils first contracted violently, then clouded with deep confusion, before finally hardening into something bordering on obsession.
"Annabelle was adopted? Since when?!"
Anthony Taylor sighed heavily. "Little Terry was only four when she went missing. Your Aunt Olivia was consumed by guilt, crying herself sick every day. After reporting it to the police, she camped by the phone for six months..."
His eyes drifted to Evelyn.
She stood motionless, lips pressed tight, fingertips trembling slightly.
"The police finally said... a child that young, alone for so long... the chances were slim." Anthony's voice cracked. "The way you look right now—it's exactly how your mother was back then. She'd sit like a statue, lunging for the phone at every ring..."
Alexander's knuckles turned white. "You never mentioned losing a daughter."
"Your mother knew." Anthony smiled bitterly. "After adopting Annabelle, we asked everyone to treat her as our own. We wanted... to make up for what we'd lost."
Alexander whirled toward Margaret Hamilton. "Mom, you knew all along?"
Margaret nodded faintly.
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
"You were just a child. And children talk—what if Annabelle had overheard—"
"If I'd known she wasn't—" Alexander's voice rose sharply.
"Alexander!" Annabelle clutched his sleeve, eyes brimming with tears.
He shook her off violently. "How old were you when they adopted you?"
"I..."
"Answer me!"
Anthony intervened. "We wanted a child Terry's age, but after searching every orphanage in Hudson... only Annabelle was available. She was seven when she came to us."
Seven.
Old enough to remember everything.
Annabelle's face drained of color.
Alexander's expression morphed from shock to fury.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Alexander, I just..."
"When I talked about us meeting as kids, why didn't you correct me?!"
Tears spilled down Annabelle's cheeks.
"Annabelle." Alexander spoke with lethal precision. "I despise liars above all else."