Chapter 1 The Visitor

Emily knew something was wrong the moment Sister Agnes called her name that morning.

"Emily, come to the office," she said, her voice coming out not loudly or urgently but rather carefully. Like she was trying to be cautious and that itself was terrifying.

Emily looked up from the stack of old files she was sorting. The younger children were outside in the yard. The sun was bright just like every ordinary day but Sister Agnes wasn't behaving ordinary.

Her hands were folded too tightly in front of her, and one could easily notice that her smile did not reach her eyes.

Emily's stomach tightened, sensing all these.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked lightly, trying to joke.

Sister Agnes shook her head. "No. Someone is here to see you."

Emily blinked in surprise. "Someone's here? To see me?" she asked again, hoping she hadn't heard the words well. Even the words themselves felt strange in her mouth.

In twenty-two years, no one had ever come for her. Birthdays had passed quietly, holidays had come and gone, she had watched other children pack their small bags and leave with relatives, but no one had ever signed their name at the front desk saying they were family or even a family friend.

Emily knew no one, and no one had ever come for her. She remained where she was, her fingers tightening around the old file.

"Can it wait?" she asked quietly.

Sister Agnes' expression softened. "I'm afraid it can't."

Emily forced a small laugh. "If this is about Jacob climbing the fence yesterday, I already apologized for him."

"It isn't about Jacob," Sister Agnes said and for some reason, that answer made her even more nervous.

Clara, who was sitting across from her, slowly lifted her head.

"You said a visitor is here for her?" she asked.

Sister Agnes nodded and Emily let out another laugh, but this one sounded strained.

"That's impossible. I think you've got the wrong person, Sister Agnes."

But Sister Agnes did not laugh back. "I don't have the wrong person, Emily. For your information, he came yesterday," she said softly. "And we asked him to return today."

Emily's heart skipped. He'd been here yesterday? Someone had come looking for her yesterday, and she hadn't even known?

"Okay... who is it?" she asked carefully.

Sister Agnes hesitated. "A man. He says he has something important to discuss with you."

Something important. Those words settled heavily inside her chest. She didn't even know this man. So what could he possibly have to discuss with her?

Clara leaned closer. "Do you know any man outside this place?"

Emily shook her head slowly. "You know I don't."

Clara studied her for a second before lowering her voice. "What if he's here to take you away?"

Emily gave a bitter smile. "Nobody comes back for girls like me."

Clara reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "Don't say that."

Emily looked away. She didn't say that in self-pity rather from experience. Twenty-two years had taught her exactly how hope ended.

"Emily," Sister Agnes said gently, "please come with me. He's waiting."

Emily took a slow breath before finally standing. The hallway felt longer than usual as she walked. Every step seemed louder than the last.

’Maybe it's about work. Maybe someone wants to sponsor the orphanage. But why speak to me? I'm just another orphan.’ Emily shook her head at the thought.

Then another thought crept into her mind.

’Maybe... Maybe someone finally came for me.’

She shut the thought down almost immediately.

’No. Don't do this again.’

Hope had embarrassed her too many times before. Every birthday she'd secretly wished someone would appear. Every Christmas she'd looked toward the gate for someone who never came.

She refused to let herself believe today would be any different. They reached the office door.

Sister Agnes rested her hand on the knob and paused.

"He is inside," she said softly. "Waiting."

Emily swallowed. For a brief moment, she considered turning around. If she walked away now, whatever waited behind that door couldn't hurt her.

But curiosity won.

She nodded. Sister Agnes pushed the door open and she walked in. The man stood near the window. He was tall, dressed in a dark suit that looked far too expensive for a place like this. Sunlight streamed in behind him, outlining his figure in quiet authority.

He turned slowly at the sound of the door and their eyes met. Emily felt it immediately. It was the strange feeling of being studied, although not casually, but carefully, like someone comparing her to a memory.

This must be him. The man who came yesterday. Why would someone return, unless they were certain? But what did he want from her?

She looked him over, but he did not smile. His face was calm, serious, and controlled. There was no warmth in his eyes.

Emily suddenly became painfully aware of herself. Her simple dress. Her tied-back hair. The faint ink stains on her fingers.

Standing before him, she felt painfully ordinary.

Sister Agnes quietly closed the door behind them and silence settled over the room. Five seconds passed, then ten but the man simply looked at her without saying anything.

Emily shifted uneasily.

Why wasn't he saying anything? Finally, she cleared her throat.

"You wanted to see me?"

Her voice sounded smaller than she intended. The man stepped forward. Up close, he looked older than she had first thought. A few strands of gray rested at his temples.

"Yes," he said evenly. "My name is Victor Hale."

Emily searched her memory but there was nothing connecting her to the name. The name meant absolutely nothing to her. Instead of responding, she folded her arms across her chest.

"If you're expecting me to recognize that name, I don't."

Something flickered in his eyes, but it disappeared almost instantly.

"I came yesterday to confirm certain details," he said.

Emily frowned. "That I heard," she said but he remained silent.

"What details?" she asked.

"I needed to be certain."

"Certain of what?" She asked with a raised brow but he didn't answer.

Instead, he continued studying her face. Emily felt irritation replacing fear. What did he want?

As though he could read her mind, he said, "I’m sorry if knowing I can yesterday but left without seeing you makes you upset. Just that I needed facts before we spoke."

Emily's jaw tightened. "That's a strange way to introduce yourself."

For the first time, the corner of his mouth moved but not quite a smile, but enough to suggest he'd noticed her spirit.

"And now?" she asked.

He looked at her one last time, as though making a final decision.

"Now I can say this with certainty."

Emily's heartbeat pounded against her ribs. "Say what?" she asked, praying and hoping it wasn't what she thought this was.

His voice remained calm as he said, "That I am your father."

Emily stared at him for a second, then another before a short laugh escaped her lips.

It sounded hollow and disbelieving.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "You're lying."

The room fell silent.