Chapter 1261
“Elliana, are you sure about this?” Arthur asked, still trying to grasp the thought that his wife might be the lost child of Edgar and Elsie.
Milton frowned.
“What if Maxine made it up? If Mom was really a Thompson, wouldn’t they have searched the whole world for her? But no one ever said a word.”
Cole leaned forward.
“I don’t think Maxine lied. When Maxine made that offer, she had no reason to. She knew that if Elliana found out she lied, Elliana wouldn’t just refuse to take over the Griffiths family—she’d destroy it. Lying would’ve done Maxine no good.”
Elliana nodded in agreement.
“Exactly. There’s no logic in lying about something that serious.”
Arthur and Milton exchanged looks, the weight of it sinking in.
“I’ve searched everywhere for Mom,” Milton said quietly.
“I’ve pulled every string I could think of, but I’ve never heard even a whisper about the Thompsons searching for a lost daughter. Why? Even if they tried to hide it, someone would’ve found out.”
Arthur sighed.
“What if they just didn’t care for her? Maybe they didn’t bother looking because they didn’t want to.”
Elliana’s brows drew together. A flicker of sadness crossed her face. How could any parent not love someone like her mother—so kind, so brilliant? She shook her head.
“No, Dad. That doesn’t fit. My grandparents’ love story was real. Mom was born out of love. There’s no way they wouldn’t have adored her.”
She took Beatrice gently from Arthur’s arms, her voice softening.
“It’s like me and Cole. Beatrice means more to us than life itself.”
Cole smiled faintly and brushed his fingers across Beatrice’s tiny hand. He acknowledged Elliana’s words. If their daughter ever went missing, he’d move heaven and earth—and give up everything—to bring her home.
Milton’s eyes softened as he watched them.
Lαττ ?нαρτ?rs ιn glov?l.om
“You’re right. I get it now.”
Arthur sighed, regret creeping into his tone.
“I shouldn’t have said that. Rita was a gem—everyone loved her. Of course, her parents must have loved her even more.” He hesitated and then asked quietly, “But if that’s true, why haven’t we ever heard a thing about them looking for her?”
Elliana thought for a moment.
“There’s only one explanation. Maxine must’ve erased every trace when she took Mom. Either Maxine made the Thompsons believe my mom was dead… or she replaced my mom with someone else so they’d never suspect a thing.”
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