Chapter 4 - The Ten-Year Secret Unraveled
The next morning, the rain had ceased, leaving the mansion draped in a thick, gray fog. Alexander hadn't slept a wink. He sat in his study, staring at a brown manila folder that Marcus had delivered just an hour ago.
The DNA results were conclusive. 99.9% match. Maya was biologically related to the Reed family. But she wasn't Emily's daughter.
Alexander opened the secondary report detailing Maria’s history. Ten years ago, Maria had worked as a junior secretary at Reed Industries' European branch. At the same time, Alexander’s older brother, Julian—who had tragically died in a car crash nine years ago—was managing that branch.
Julian had been the black sheep of the family, a man who loved deeply but recklessly, eventually breaking away from their tyrannical father’s control. The report detailed a secret romance between the billionaire heir and the humble immigrant secretary. A romance that ended abruptly when Julian died.
Alexander summoned Maria to his office. She walked in, no longer wearing her uniform, but a simple coat, ready to leave forever.
"Julian," Alexander said softly, watching her reaction.
Maria’s shoulders sagged, and she closed her eyes as tears finally spilled over. "He loved me, Alexander. And I loved him. Not for his money. Not for the Reed name. He was going to leave it all behind for us."
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"Why didn't you come forward after the crash?" Alexander demanded, a mix of anger and confusion swirling inside him. "My father would have..."
"Your father is exactly why I ran!" Maria cried out, her voice filled with ten years of suppressed agony. "Your father found out about the pregnancy before Julian died. He threatened me. He said he would take my baby away, brand me a fraud, and ensure I spent my life in prison. I was terrified. Then Julian died, and I had no protector. So I disappeared into the shadows. I changed my name, moved across the country, and took the lowest jobs just to keep Maya safe from the Reed family."
