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Ms. Claire beamed." Wonderful! You're healed, Samantha found her family—things are looking up for everyone."
"Samantha found her family?!"She'd never told me.
Ms. Claire was shocked I didn't know."Last month. No one expected it—she's the heiress of the Pierce dynasty. Their butler came with a locket for proof. They confirmed it with a DNA test."
Last month...locket...
"That locket—does it have an orchid engraving?"
No wonder Samantha wanted me dead fast.
…
Leaving the foster home, my mind churned.
That locket was mine. As kids, Samantha loved it, so I gave it to her. Last month, she insisted on a full health checkup, tagging along. Now I saw it—she needed my blood for the DNA test.
In my past life, those two didn't just plot my murder—they stole my family.
I took a business card to the hospital, meeting Dr. Natalie Quinn, Ms. Claire's daughter—and my other reason for visiting the home.
I handed her the policy.
"Dr. Quinn, I mean no harm to Ms.Claire.IIm just trying to save myself."
I explained Nathan and Samantha's murder plot, showing my disability papers.
"You're not scared I'll tip them off?" she asked.
I was gambling on her being as good as her mother.
Seeing my tension, she laughed."Relax, I won't betray you, Orchid Echo."
Orchid Echo? My pen name! How did she know?
Nathan and Samantha thought I was a retired accountant turned housewife.
In reality, I'd written novels online since college. Not a bestseller, but popular enough.. Before marrying, the book's film rights were sold, letting me write full-time.
"Nice to meet you," she said."I'm your fan—username River Tales."
…
Near Samantha's quittin'time, I texted her:
"Sammy, can you come over? Nathan's gone, and I'm kinda spooked."
Five minutes later:
"Can't tonight—boss has me working late, probably'til 10. Tomorrow night, I'll be there."
I grinned at the message. They were meeting tonight.
I rented a car, disguised myself, and staked out their office. Soon, Nathan's car pulled out.
I tailed him to an exclusive gated community, and was stopped by security.
This was River Heights, the city's ritziest area. No way Nathan or Samantha could afford a place here—unless it was a gift from Samantha's" new family."
As I planned to leave and regroup, a car pulled up.
"Ms. Harper?"
A refined man stepped out of a Bentley.
I felt a strange familiarity but was sure we'd never met.
"I am. And you are?"
He smiled warmly."I'm Samantha Reed's cousin, Daniel Pierce."
