Chapter 1
The tension in the hallway was palpable as everyone took in Emmeline’s words. The wealthy women, still shocked by her sudden confidence, exchanged nervous glances, unsure how to react. But it was Alana’s face that froze, a look of utter disbelief crossing her features.
“What did you say?” Alana’s voice wavered, her perfect composure cracking for the first time.
Emmeline’s eyes remained steady on Alana as she took a step closer to her, her voice smooth but piercing. “I said that this little boy, Hesperus, is the great-grandson Oscar Ryker has been waiting for. I’d say that makes him a far more fitting gift than any fruit basket, wouldn’t you agree?”
The room went completely silent, save for the soft sound of Hesperus’ innocent giggling. His little hands clutched his mother’s skirt, completely unaware of the weight of the moment. But Emmeline’s words had landed like a bombshell.
Alana’s face turned pale as realization hit her. The resemblance between Hesperus and the Ryker family was undeniable. The boy’s deep brown eyes, the high cheekbones, and even his elegant yet boyish features—they were all echoes of the Ryker legacy.
Alana’s mind raced, her thoughts scrambling to process what she had just heard. The little boy… was he Abel Ryker’s son? Or perhaps—her eyes flickered to Emmeline’s cool, composed face—the child belonged to someone else in the Ryker family?
But before she could speak, one of the women who had been with her scoffed, her lips curling into a sneer. “You can’t be serious. That kid doesn’t belong to anyone here. He’s probably just some random child you picked up for a story.”
Emmeline’s eyes didn’t falter, not even for a second. She glanced at the woman with an expression of amusement, as if she had expected this kind of reaction. “You think I’d bring a child here to lie? Do you really believe I would play such a game?” She glanced down at Hesperus, who beamed up at her, his small fingers poking at her cheek. “I don’t need to lie about him, because the truth will come to light eventually.”
Hesperus tugged at her skirt again, his tiny voice full of innocence. “Mommy, who’s that lady? Why is she so mean?”
Alana’s face hardened, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. She was about to respond when a cold, deep voice interrupted her from behind.
“Alana, what’s going on here?”
The voice was unmistakable. Everyone turned to see a tall man stepping out from the VIP suite—Abel Ryker.
His presence was commanding, his broad shoulders exuding confidence. His dark eyes, sharp and calculating, swept over the scene in front of him. He was dressed in a sleek black suit, the same one from the photo Emmeline had seen earlier, and his expression was unreadable.
Emmeline’s heart skipped a beat as her gaze met his. Could this be him? Could this be the man from five years ago? The man who had…
Abel’s eyes shifted to Emmeline. Recognition flickered for a brief moment before he wiped it away, replaced by a look of curiosity.
“Emmeline…” His voice was low, almost as if he were testing her name on his tongue. “What are you doing here?”
Alana quickly stepped forward, her face contorting into a forced smile as she tried to salvage the situation. “Abel, don’t mind her. This woman is just causing trouble. She—”
“Enough, Alana.” Abel cut her off with a wave of his hand, his gaze never leaving Emmeline. “I’ll handle this.”
The sharpness of his tone left no room for argument, and Alana fell back, her face flushed with indignation.
Emmeline took a deep breath, steeling herself. The moment she had dreaded had come, but it was also the moment she had been working toward for years. For her son, for answers, for a chance to confront the man who had changed her life forever.
“I’m here for my son,” Emmeline said, her voice steady, but her eyes flashing with an intensity that betrayed her calm demeanor. “Hesperus needs help, Abel. He’s sick, and I need you to help him.”
For the first time, Abel’s expression softened ever so slightly. He took a step closer, his eyes moving to Hesperus, who was now staring up at him with innocent curiosity.
The little boy didn’t seem to be afraid, as he should have been, given the tension in the air. Instead, he tilted his head and smiled at Abel, his wide eyes filled with curiosity.
“Hi, mister!” Hesperus said brightly, his small voice echoing through the quiet hall.
Abel paused, his expression unreadable. But Emmeline could see the flicker of something in his gaze. It wasn’t just recognition; it was a deeper, more visceral reaction.
“You’re… his father, aren’t you?” Emmeline’s voice wavered slightly, but she kept her composure. She could see the way Abel was looking at Hesperus.
Abel’s gaze snapped back to Emmeline, and for a moment, it felt as though time itself had frozen. Then, with a small sigh, he finally spoke.
“I don’t know yet,” he said, his voice quiet but steady. “But I intend to find out.”
The words hung in the air, a mixture of uncertainty and resolve. For Emmeline, it was the beginning of a new chapter—one that could hold the answers she had been searching for all these years.
“Come with me,” Abel said, nodding toward the suite. “We’ll talk inside.”
Emmeline hesitated only for a moment before taking a step forward, Hesperus’s small hand clutched tightly in hers. The time for silence was over. She had come here for her son, and she would not leave without the answers she needed.
The truth was finally within reach.
