THE BILLIONAIRE FORGOTTEN DAUGHTER

“Your father never abandoned you.” Rain hammered against the windows of the small bedroom as Amelia Carter sat beside her mother's bed. She had been awake for two nights. Her mother's breathing had become weaker, each breath sounding like a struggle. The doctors had already told Amelia there was nothing more they could do. But Amelia refused to believe them. “Mom,” she whispered, holding her hand tightly. “Please don't leave me.” Her mother slowly opened her eyes. For a moment, she simply stared at Amelia. There was sadness in her eyes. And fear. “Amelia…” “Yes, Mom?” “There is something I should have told you a long time ago.” Amelia swallowed hard. “What is it?” Her mother struggled to sit up. Amelia immediately helped her, placing two pillows behind her back. “Under the bed,” her mother whispered. “There is a wooden box.” Amelia frowned. “What box?” “Just get it.” Confused, Amelia bent down and reached under the bed. Her fingers touched something cold and wooden. She pulled out a small, dusty box. Her mother watched her carefully. “Open it.” Amelia lifted the lid. Inside was an old photograph, a silver necklace, and several folded documents. She picked up the photograph first. Her heart stopped. It showed a young man standing beside her mother. He looked nothing like the father Amelia had imagined throughout her childhood. He was handsome, confident, and dressed in an expensive black suit. Amelia turned the photograph over. Three words were written on the back. Adrian Blackwood. “Who is he?” Amelia asked. Her mother's eyes filled with tears. “Your father.” The room suddenly felt silent. Amelia stared at her mother. “My… father?” “Yes.” “But you told me he left us.” “I lied.” Amelia stepped backward. For twenty-two years, she had believed her father simply didn't want her. She had imagined him countless times. Sometimes she imagined he was poor. Sometimes she imagined he was dead. But never in her wildest dreams had she imagined he could be someone like the man in the photograph. “Who is Adrian Blackwood?” Her mother closed her eyes. “He is one of the richest men in the country.” Amelia's fingers tightened around the photograph. “No.” “Yes.” “The Adrian Blackwood? The Blackwood Group?” Her mother nodded. Amelia stared at the photograph again. The Blackwood Group was everywhere. Hotels, technology companies, real estate, banks. Everyone knew Adrian Blackwood. Everyone except her. “Why didn't you tell him about me?” “I tried.” Her mother's voice cracked. “But they stopped me.” “Who?” She hesitated. “Victoria.” Amelia's heart raced. “Who is Victoria?” “Adrian's wife.” The answer made no sense. “His wife?” “She knew about you, Amelia. She knew you were Adrian's daughter.” Amelia's eyes widened. “Then why doesn't he know me?” Her mother reached for her hand. “Because they told him you died.” Amelia froze. “What?” “They told Adrian that you died shortly after you were born.” A tear rolled down her mother's cheek. “I tried to fight them. I tried to reach him. But they threatened me. They made me disappear from his life.” Amelia could barely breathe. Twenty-two years. Twenty-two years of believing she wasn't wanted. Twenty-two years of carrying the pain of being abandoned. And now she was discovering that it had all been a lie. “Mom…” Her mother's breathing suddenly became heavy. Amelia grabbed her hand. “Mom! Please, stay with me.” Her mother looked at her one last time. “Find your father.” Then she whispered something that made Amelia's blood run cold. “Don't trust anyone in the Blackwood family.” Her hand went limp. “Mom?” Amelia shook her gently. “Mom!” Nothing. The rain continued falling outside. Amelia sat frozen beside the bed, tears streaming down her face. Then she looked at the photograph again. Adrian Blackwood. Her father. She had spent twenty-two years believing he had forgotten her. Now she was going to find out who had made him forget. And she would not stop until she uncovered the truth. Victoria already knew TO BE CONTINUED.....