“My Husband Told Me, ‘If You Want to Save Our Family, You Must Have a Baby With My 80-Year-Old Father.’ I Slapped Him and Started Packing My Suitcase. But When My Father-in-Law Fell to His Knees and Explained Why He Needed That Child, I Froze in Horror…”

The room seemed to spin.

“No! I was pregnant with one baby!”

“That’s what they told you.”

I stared at him in horror.

Richard continued:

“During the complicated delivery, one of the babies died. The other survived.”

“Then where is my child?”

The old man began to cry.

“I was the one who allowed the baby to be given up for adoption.”

For a moment, I felt as though my heart had stopped.

“What are you saying?”

“Daniel was in serious trouble. We were drowning in debt. A wealthy family was willing to pay a large sum to adopt the newborn. I convinced my son that it was the best decision.”

I couldn’t speak.

“And you told me my baby had died?”

Richard nodded.

“I’ve regretted it every day of my life.”

I picked up the photograph.

“Then Lily…”

“Is your daughter?” the old man whispered, as though reading my thoughts. “No, Emily. She’s your granddaughter.”