Chapter 7 - THE UNBROKEN BOND
The storm of police cars, forensic technicians, and federal agents lasted until the early hours of the morning. By 4:00 AM, the estate had finally fallen quiet again.
Benedict walked slowly up the grand spiral staircase to the third floor. His body was exhausted, but his mind was racing with a chaotic mix of anger, grief, and profound realization.
He opened the heavy oak door to the master nursery suite.
Inside, the room was dimly lit by a soft amber nightlight shaped like a star. On the large king-sized bed, surrounded by soft pillows, little Orla lay fast asleep, clutching her worn plush teddy bear tightly against her chest. Her tiny face still bore faint, dried tear tracks on her cheeks.
Benedict felt a sharp pang in his heart.
He walked over to the bed and sat down gently on the edge. He reached out, his large, calloused hand tenderly brushing a strand of soft dark hair away from her forehead.
He remembered the second page of the document resting in his pocket.
Maternity: Evelina Vance. Paternity: Benedict Sterling.
Orla was biologically his. But the woman who had carried her had tried to ruin her life out of sheer greed and malice, while the woman who had raised her for her first few months of life had built a web of deceit out of desperation.
Orla stirred slightly, opening her large, glassy brown eyes. When she saw Benedict, her little face immediately brightened, and she reached her small arms up toward him.
"Daddy..." she whispered sleepily. "Are the bad people gone?"
Benedict felt a lump form in his throat. He leaned down, lifting her small body into his arms, hugging her tightly against his chest as if he would never let her go.
"Yes, my sweet girl," Benedict murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "The bad people are gone. They are never, ever coming back."
Orla rested her chin on his shoulder, her tiny hands clutching the lapel of his shirt. "I really didn't break the pretty glass, Daddy. I was being good."
"I know, baby. I know," Benedict said softly, kissing her cheek. "You were so brave tonight. You did nothing wrong. Daddy is so sorry he let anyone hurt your feelings."
"Are you sad, Daddy?" Orla asked, reaching up her little thumb to touch a drop of moisture in the corner of Benedict’s eye.
May you like
Benedict smiled through the pain, wrapping his arms tighter around the little girl who was his entire world. "No, Orla. I’m not sad. I’m just happy I have you."
At that moment, Benedict knew what he had to do. The truth about Victoria, Evelina, and the fraudulent adoption papers could never be allowed to destroy Orla’s future. He was going to protect this child with everything he owned, no matter what court battles or public scandals lay ahead.
