bChapter /b327

Over the weekend, Charlottended in The Capital on a morning flight and checked into her hotel.

She sent Vera a quick message: “I’m back in The Capital for a bit. Don’t wait up for me tonight.”

As Charlotte stepped into her room and slid her key card into the slot, the curtains drew back automatically, flooding the once–dim space with daylight.

The Capital…

She honestly hadn’t thought she’d ever return.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message.

Wesley: Did you make it to The Capital?

Charlotte; I’m here now.

Wesley: Get some rest. I’ll have someone pick you up this afternoon.

She replied with a simple, “Okay.”

Lifting her gaze, Charlotte stared at the cluster of skyscrapers outside her window. If she was back in The Capital, she might as well take care of

that unfinished business, too.

That afternoon, Wesley’s driver arrived at the hotel. To her surprise, it was

Julian waiting by the car.

He greeted her with a warm nod. “Miss Sterling, fancy seeing you again.”

“It’s good to see iyou /itoo,” Charlotte replied, sliding into the back seat.

As they drove, Julian mentioned that they’d all be heading back to Eldermere City soon, and there might not be another chance to meet for a while.

i“/iiSo /isoon?” Charlotte asked, caught off guard.

b1/4 /b

14:44

“Well, now that Miss Genevieve’s been found, Mr. Rayburn wants to bring her home as soon as possible. Back to the family, officially.”

Charlotte pressed her lips together, suddenly distracted.

They pulled up outside a private vi, just a few miles from Vandermere Private Hospital.

Julian exined, “Mr. Rayburn spared no expense on this ce. Mrs. Rayburn’s been resting here for a while now.”

He led her through the garden. A housekeeper showed them into Mrs. Rayburn’s bedroom.

Inside, Wesley nced over his shoulder from where he was helping his mother. “Mom, look who’s here.”

Mrs. Rayburn seemed confused at first, but as she turned around and saw Charlotte, a smile broke across her face. She got up from the bed, her eyes shining. “My daughter!”

In the past, whenever Mrs. Rayburn called her “daughter,” Charlotte had chalked it up to grief and wishful thinking, a mother’s mind wounded by loss. But now, knowing there was a real chance Mrs. Rayburn might be her birth mother, hearing that word made something ache inside her chest, warmth stinging behind her eyes.

Her voice trembled. “Godmother…”

Mrs. Rayburn rushed to her, wrapping her arms around her. “Darling, I missed iyou /iso much! You’re not going to leave me, are you?”

Charlotte lowered her eyes, doing her best to keep her emotions in check. “No, of course not. I’d never leave you.”

“Really?” Mrs. Rayburn held her hands tightly. “You’ll stay with me, right? Promise?”

Charlotte hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

“Come,e, I saved something special for you!” Mrs. Rayburn tugged her over to the bed, knelt down, and pulled up the mattress. Hidden

14

underneath was a trove of jewelry boxes.

Julian stood speechless, ncing at Wesley.

Wesley looked equally surprised. Apparently, he had no idea his mother had been stashing away all the jewelry his father had given her under the

mattress.

Charlotte stared in shock. “Godmother, you-?”

“All for you, sweetheart! If you like them, there’s plenty more where that came from!” Mrs. Rayburn proceeded to shove handfuls of sparkling jewels into Charlotte’s hands.

The diamonds and gemstones glittered in the afternoon light–each piece worth a small fortune.

Charlotte tried to object. “I can’t ept these-”

“Nonsense! There’s plenty more!”

She shot Wesley a desperate look, silently begging for help.

Wesley chuckled,ing to her rescue. “Mom, Lottie really can’t wear all these at once. How about I help her pick something?”

Charlotte blinked in surprise.

Wesley selected a blue diamond brooch from the collection. “This one’s perfect for iyou/i. It’s elegant, not too shy–just right for your line of work. You could wear it on your jacket, and it wouldn’t look out of ce.”

i“/iWesley, I…”

“This is from Mom,” he said, his tone gentle but firm.

Mrs. Rayburn watched them, her expression hopeful, as if she’d be heartbroken if Charlotte refused.

In the end, Charlotte/epted the brooch.

Mrs. Rayburn’s delight was immediate. She turned to Julian, dragging him off to help her choose more gifts.

14:44

Chapter

Now, with the room empty except for the two of them, Charlotte and Wesley stepped into the hallway. Wesley paused, as if remembering something. “You mentioned the other day that you had something to tell me. What was it?”