Chapter 9
784words
"You can stay here for a few days," he said, pouring me a cup of hot tea. "Until Aunt Victoria can calmly talk with me."
I gratefully took the cup, my hands still trembling slightly from emotion. "Thank you, Logan. Thank you for believing me."
He sat across from me. "I believe in evidence and logic, and in your eyes, Zoe," he said, gently touching my face.
This sudden intimacy made my heart race. I looked down at my teacup, feeling my cheeks flush. No one had ever treated me so gently—the feeling was both foreign and comforting.
"You know," Logan said softly, "you sometimes make a small gesture, tilting your face slightly when you look down, just like now. It reminds me of Daphne as a child."
I raised my eyes to see tender memories flickering in his gaze.
I nodded, feeling both surprised and sad. These memories belonged to a stolen childhood—a life I should have had but lost.
I looked down at my teacup, my cheeks burning both from his touch and from this recovered memory. "But Victoria doesn't believe. She chooses to believe Bianca."
"Rest now," Logan said gently. "You've been through so much. I'll handle everything."
I nodded gratefully, truly feeling exhausted. Years of suppression and recent events had finally pushed my body and spirit to their limits.
While I rested in the guest room, Logan left the apartment for Blackwood Estate. He was determined to make Victoria see the truth, no matter how much effort it took.
## Logan's Perspective
I arrived at Blackwood Estate again, this time with all the evidence and a determined heart. I had to make Victoria see the truth—for Zoe's sake, and for Daphne's memory.
Victoria didn't welcome me warmly, but she still let me enter the estate. We sat in the living room, the atmosphere tense and heavy.
"I hope you're not here to continue that absurd theory, Logan," Victoria said coldly.
"Victoria, please hear me out," I began calmly. "I know you desperately want to believe Bianca is your daughter. But there are too many questions that need answers."
I presented all the evidence I'd gathered: Zoe's scars, DNA test results, and background investigations on Zoe's foster parents and Bianca.
"First, the scars on Zoe's back likely came from that car accident," I explained. "While Bianca's back is completely unmarked."
Victoria frowned but didn't interrupt me.
"Second, our DNA test shows Zoe is your daughter. This test was conducted under strict controls with no possibility of manipulation."
"But our test showed Bianca is my daughter," Victoria countered.
"Yes, but that test sample was provided directly by Zoe's foster father, not collected under your supervision," I pointed out. "They had the opportunity to provide Bianca's DNA sample instead of Zoe's."
Victoria's expression began to waver, but she still wasn't ready to fully accept it. "Why would they do that?"
"Money, power, status," I said simply. "The Blackwood family has immense wealth. If Bianca is accepted as the lost heiress, she gains everything."
I continued presenting more evidence: Zoe's foster parents' suddenly improved financial situation, Bianca's history of fraud, and suspicious communication records between the three of them.
Slowly, Victoria's expression changed from doubt to shock, then to fear. "If you're right... if Zoe truly is Daphne... then I..."
"You were deceived, Victoria," I said gently. "But it's not too late. You can correct this mistake."
Victoria's eyes filled with tears. "I need to see Zoe... no, Daphne. I need to talk to her myself."
I nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. "She's at my apartment now. I can take you to her."
Just then, we heard a slight noise. I turned to see Bianca standing in the doorway, her face pale, her eyes filled with fear and anger.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Victoria stood up, her expression becoming firm. "Bianca, we need to talk. Some things need explaining."
Panic flashed in Bianca's eyes, but she quickly regained composure. "Of course, Mother. But first, I need to make a call."
She quickly left the room, and I felt a wave of unease. "Victoria, we shouldn't let her leave. She might warn Zoe's foster parents."
Victoria nodded and immediately followed, but it was too late. Bianca was gone.
"She's gone," Victoria said in horror. "She might be going after Zoe."
I immediately took out my phone and dialed Zoe's number, but there was no answer. A terrible premonition washed over me.
"We must go to my apartment right now," I said urgently. "Zoe might be in danger."
