f reporters was so agitated and thirsty for news that they bare

phones thrusting forward like weapons whil

s Ha

etending to be the Hart family's daug

n is Richard Hart's biologica

g someone else's life? Is it

gainst her ribs. For one disoriented secon

trembling. "I think you've confused me

only press

de Joanna Johns

truth?" Had the reporters already found out about the broken

arrying Mr.

to the woman whose family a

d never heard the name Joanna Johnson until tonight, until Soron's ph

ered, tears already stinging her eyes.

her face. The glowing screen showed th

HART HEIR

t last month's gala. The other was a stranger who shared her eyes, her

in her throat. The ques

ogical daughter? Was it a well-thought-out scheme? D

Stan discove

ou because Joan

r with every repetition. Katherine's chest heaved, he

ied, voice cracking. "

r driver grabbed her arm and practically sho

rters still chasing, cameras flashing a

eeth chattered. She grabbed her phone

. No a

traight to

r went dead ins

nce. Again and

r in her stomach wi

th desperate attemp

her voice. But Amelia

isn't my

ough the receiver, r

led on the other end

ce. "

what was left of Katherine's heart: "Wh

Katherine's hand and

color. Soron's urgent voice echoed in her mind-"Is the baby okay?"-followed by h

had chosen Joanna... fallen in love wit

om Katherine's lips even as ho

at's w

een hers. Not the family. Not the love. Not even the name she'

the driver shouted

bled into the street, the night air cold against her wet face. Memories flashed-birthday pa

eafening. Headlights blinded her. She barely made

r. She crashed onto the windshield, glass cracking beneath her body like brittle ice. For one susp

e. Warm blood trickled across

'Was this her end? The fake

raw, desperate-cu

heri

ofound, so full of remorse, that her shattered heart twisted with an ache far

r eyes. She wanted to

ness swallow