PART 5 — THE GATE CLOSED ON THEM FOREVER
I stared at the photograph.
Ryan.
Maren.
Standing together.
Alive.
Together.
After six years of lies.
For a moment, I couldn’t move.
Then my phone buzzed.
Victoria.
My attorney.
“Rowan, where are you?”
“I found Lily.”
There was silence.
“You found her?”
“Yes.”
“Is she safe?”
I looked at the little girl beside me.
“Yes.”
Victoria exhaled.
“Then come home.”
I frowned.
“Why?”
“Because Patricia is still at your gate.”
I almost laughed.
After everything I had just learned, Patricia was still standing outside my mansion demanding entry.
“Is Ryan there?”
“No.”
“Good.”
I looked at Lily.
“I’m coming.”
When I arrived at the estate, the scene was even bigger than before.
The two moving trucks were still parked outside.
Patricia was shouting.
Brandon was arguing with the police.
Vanessa was still livestreaming.
And hundreds of people were watching online.
Then Patricia saw my car.
She smiled.
“There she is.”
I stepped out.
But this time, I wasn’t alone.
Victoria walked beside me.
My investigator followed.
And behind them came Lily and the woman who had raised her.
Patricia’s face changed.
“What is this?”
I looked directly at her.
“This is your granddaughter.”
The street went silent.
Vanessa lowered her phone.
Brandon stopped talking.
Patricia stared at Lily.
“No.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
“This is impossible.”
“No, Patricia.”
I held up the forged birth certificate.
“This is what was impossible.”
Victoria stepped forward.
“We have evidence of fraudulent financial documents, identity fraud, child abduction, and an attempted transfer of assets belonging to Ms. Rowan.”
Patricia’s face went pale.
“You can’t prove any of that.”
My investigator handed the police officer a folder.
“We can.”
The officer opened it.
His expression changed.
Then another police officer walked toward Patricia.
