CHAPTER 2: THE SECRET PLAN
The room erupted.
"That's impossible!"
Daniel stared at the forged paperwork.
His hands trembled.
His mother had always been controlling.
Manipulative.
Overprotective.
But this?
This was something else entirely.
Eleanor immediately shook her head.
"You don't understand."
The detective remained unmoved.
"The documents were submitted six days ago."
Emily's stomach dropped.
Six days ago.
Before the baby was even born.
The investigator continued.
"According to these papers, you petitioned a private guardian service to assume temporary custody of the child immediately after birth."
Daniel couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Why?"
Eleanor remained silent.
The detective opened another file.
Then another.
Then another.
Each revelation became worse.
Private meetings.
Hidden payments.
Conversations with adoption attorneys.
Requests for emergency guardianship.
Everything had been carefully planned.
Months in advance.
Emily felt sick.
The realization hit her like a truck.
Someone had intended to take her baby before she ever held her.
Daniel turned toward his mother.
His voice broke.
"Tell me this isn't true."
Tears appeared in Eleanor's eyes.
But she still said nothing.
The detective finally revealed the motive.
"Mrs. Whitmore believed the child wasn't biologically related to her son."
Emily blinked.
"What?"
The room froze.
Daniel looked horrified.
The detective continued.
"She privately hired a company to investigate Mrs. Carter during her pregnancy."
Emily could barely breathe.
Every movement.
Every appointment.
Every friendship.
Every detail of her life had been monitored.
All because Eleanor believed Emily had been unfaithful.
Daniel looked devastated.
"My God."
But the worst revelation was still coming.
The detective opened one final file.
Inside was a DNA report.
The room went silent.
Daniel frowned.
"What is that?"
The detective placed the document on the bed.
Emily stared at the report.
Then at the names.
And suddenly everything changed.
Because the DNA test had already been completed.
Not after the birth.
Before it.
And according to the results...
Daniel was the biological father.
One hundred percent.
Eleanor had known for weeks.
Yet she continued with the plan anyway.
Daniel slowly looked at his mother.
His eyes filled with tears.
"Why?"
The old woman finally broke.
Because the truth had nothing to do with biology.
Nothing to do with paternity.
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And everything to do with a secret she had hidden for thirty years.
A secret connected to Daniel himself.
