Chapter 1 - The Journal That Broke ChristmasThe living room fell into a stunned silence.
Warm Christmas lights reflected across the beige walls, while the decorated tree continued glowing as if nothing had happened.
Claire Mercer stood in the middle of the room, breathing hard.
In her hand was the dark brown leather journal she had discovered beneath a stack of old decorations.
She looked at Hannah Reed.
Hannah stood beside seven-year-old Lily, one protective arm wrapped around the frightened child.
Claire's voice shook with betrayal.
“Is this what you were hiding?”
Before Hannah could answer, Claire threw the journal across the room.
The leather book spun through the air as torn white wrapping paper flew from its cover.
Margaret Reed, Ethan's sixty-year-old mother, suddenly stood from the sofa.
“Stop it!”
The journal struck the carpet.
It opened.
A photograph slipped from its pages and landed face-up beneath the Christmas tree.
Nobody moved.
Claire slowly approached it.
The photograph showed a younger Margaret holding a newborn baby.
Standing beside her was Hannah.
Claire stared at the infant.
A tiny cream-colored ribbon was tied around the baby's wrist.
Lily was wearing the same kind of ribbon that evening.
Claire's heart began pounding.
She picked up the photograph.
“What is this?”
Hannah's face became pale.
“Claire, give it to me.”
“No.”
Claire turned the photograph over.
There was a handwritten message.
Keep her safe until he returns.
Claire looked toward Margaret.
“Who is she?”
Margaret said nothing.
Lily looked at the photograph.
Then she looked at Hannah.
“I've seen that picture before.”
Hannah immediately knelt beside her.
“You don't need to worry about it.”
Claire heard the words.
She looked at Hannah.
“You called her your daughter.”
Hannah swallowed.
“She is my daughter.”
Claire shook her head.
“Then why does Margaret have a photograph of her as a baby?”
The front door suddenly opened.
A man's voice came from the hallway.
“Mom?”
Everyone froze.
Ethan Reed walked into the room.
His eyes moved from Claire to the journal.
Then to the photograph.
When he saw it, the color disappeared from his face.
He whispered one word.
“Where did you get that?”
Claire stared at him.
“You know what it is.”
Ethan looked at Lily.
The little girl stared back innocently.
Then Ethan looked at Hannah.
Hannah lowered her eyes.
Claire's voice became cold.
“Tell me the truth.”
May you like
Ethan finally whispered the words that changed everything.
“Lily is my daughter.”
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