THE SHOES SHE STOLE WERE NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT SHE LOST

I couldn't stop staring at the photograph.

The little girl was perhaps

I couldn't stop staring at the photograph.

The little girl was perhaps six months old.

She wore a white knitted dress and lay in a hospital blanket.

Her eyes were open.

Dark six months old.

She wore a white knitted dress and lay in a hospital blanket.

Her eyes were open.

Dark.

Beautiful.

My mother's eyes.

I touched the screen.

"Where did you.

Beautiful.

My mother's eyes.

I touched the screen.

"Where did you get this?""

Daniel turned the laptop toward himself.

"It was attached to the archived maternity record.""

" get this?""

Daniel turned the laptop toward himself.

"It was attached to the archived maternity record.""

"Why was the name redacted?""

"Because the infant was transferred under a private guardianship arrangement.""

"Who authorized it?""

HeWhy was the name redacted?""

"Because the infant was transferred under a private guardianship arrangement.""

"Who authorized it?""

He pointed to the document.

"Eleanor Bennett.""

I looked at the signature.

It was the same signature pointed to the document.

"Eleanor Bennett.""

I looked at the signature.

It was the same signature I had seen on the false estate transfers.

The same woman who had stolen my mother's company.

I had seen on the false estate transfers.

The same woman who had stolen my mother's company.

The same woman who had spent fourteen years telling me that my mother had died without leaving anything behind.

She had taken my sister tooThe same woman who had spent fourteen years telling me that my mother had died without leaving anything behind.

She had taken my sister too.

I stepped away from the desk.

"Find her.""

Daniel closed the laptop.

"We need to verify the records first.

I stepped away from the desk.

"Find her.""

Daniel closed the laptop.

"We need to verify the records first.""

"Find her.""

"Maya, we don't know whether the child survived.""

"Then find out.""

He nodded.

Vanessa was.""

"Find her.""

"Maya, we don't know whether the child survived.""

"Then find out.""

He nodded.

Vanessa was standing beside the door, crying silently.

I turned toward her.

"Did you know?""

She shook her head.

"I standing beside the door, crying silently.

I turned toward her.

"Did you know?""

She shook her head.

"I swear I didn't.""

"You knew about the recording.""

"Yes.""

"You knew about the company.""

"Yes.""

swear I didn't.""

"You knew about the recording.""

"Yes.""

"You knew about the company.""

"Yes.""

"But you didn't know I had a sister?""

"No.""

I studied her face.

For once, she didn't look like"But you didn't know I had a sister?""

"No.""

I studied her face.

For once, she didn't look like the confident woman who had stolen my clothes.

She the confident woman who had stolen my clothes.

She looked like a frightened daughter.

"Why did Eleanor take her?""

Vanessa wiped her cheek looked like a frightened daughter.

"Why did Eleanor take her?""

Vanessa wiped her cheek.

"Mom told me Claire had been unstable after giving birth. She said the second baby had serious.

"Mom told me Claire had been unstable after giving birth. She said the second baby had serious medical problems.""

"That's not what the records say.""

"I know.""

"Then why did you medical problems.""

"That's not what the records say.""

"I know.""

"Then why did you believe her?""

Vanessa lowered her eyes.

"Because I was a child. And because Mom never let believe her?""

Vanessa lowered her eyes.

"Because I was a child. And because Mom never let anyone question her.""

I looked at the photograph again.

A second daughter.

A sister I had never anyone question her.""

I looked at the photograph again.

A second daughter.

A sister I had never known.

I thought about all the birthdays I had celebrated alone.

All the times I had wished known.

I thought about all the birthdays I had celebrated alone.

All the times I had wished I had someone who understood what it felt like to live in that house.

Someone who knew what Eleanor I had someone who understood what it felt like to live in that house.

Someone who knew what Eleanor was capable of.

And somewhere, another girl might have been growing was capable of.

And somewhere, another girl might have been growing up without knowing I existed.

Daniel spent the next two hours contacting the hospital's records department and up without knowing I existed.

Daniel spent the next two hours contacting the hospital's records department and his forensic investigator.

The original maternity file was incomplete.

But several supporting his forensic investigator.

The original maternity file was incomplete.

But several supporting documents had survived.

A discharge authorization.

A private guardianship request.

A payment receipt.

And an address documents had survived.

A discharge authorization.

A private guardianship request.

A payment receipt.

And an address.

The address belonged to a residential property in Connecticut.

The guardianship document listed the.

The address belonged to a residential property in Connecticut.

The guardianship document listed the receiving family as the Harringtons.

I read the name.

"Harrington?""

Daniel nodded.

"Apparently receiving family as the Harringtons.

I read the name.

"Harrington?""

Daniel nodded.

"Apparently, they were connected to Eleanor through a charitable organization.""

"Do they still live there?""

"We, they were connected to Eleanor through a charitable organization.""

"Do they still live there?""

"We're checking.""

He made another call.

While he spoke, I examined the hospital documents.

One're checking.""

He made another call.

While he spoke, I examined the hospital documents.

One page contained a handwritten note.

*Infant to be transferred under sealed arrangement. Biological mother not to be informed of page contained a handwritten note.

Infant to be transferred under sealed arrangement. Biological mother not to be informed of receiving family's identity.

I felt my stomach turn.

"Mom didn't know?""

Daniel looked at receiving family's identity.*

I felt my stomach turn.

"Mom didn't know?""

Daniel looked at me.

"That's me.

"That's what the document suggests.""

I shook my head.

"She would never have given up her baby.""

"We need more evidence.""

I looked at the photograph again.

"She knew what the document suggests.""

I shook my head.

"She would never have given up her baby.""

"We need more evidence.""

I looked at the photograph again.

"She knew something was wrong. That's why she kept asking about Maya.""

I swallowed.

"She was trying to protect both of us.""

Vanessa finally something was wrong. That's why she kept asking about Maya.""

I swallowed.

"She was trying to protect both of us.""

Vanessa finally spoke.

"There's something I haven't told you.""

I turned.

"What?""

She sat down slowly spoke.

"There's something I haven't told you.""

I turned.

"What?""

She sat down slowly.

"Mom kept a second set of company records at home.""

"Where?""

"In the attic.""

"Mom kept a second set of company records at home.""

"Where?""

"In the attic.""

I stared at her.

"Why didn't you tell Daniel?""

"Because I didn't know what was in them.""

" stared at her.

"Why didn't you tell Daniel?""

"Because I didn't know what was in them.""

"Have you seen them?""

"Once.""

"What did they contain?""

Vanessa looked toward the officeHave you seen them?""

"Once.""

"What did they contain?""

Vanessa looked toward the office door.

"A list of payments. Several names. And a photograph.""

"What photograph?""

She swallowed door.

"A list of payments. Several names. And a photograph.""

"What photograph?""

She swallowed.

"A woman holding a baby.""

I felt my heart race.

"Was it my mother?""

"A woman holding a baby.""

I felt my heart race.

"Was it my mother?""

"I think so.""

"Where is it"I think so.""

"Where is it?""

"At the house.""

I grabbed my coat.

Daniel stood.

"We're going together.""

Eleanor's house was quiet when we arrived?""

"At the house.""

I grabbed my coat.

Daniel stood.

"We're going together.""

Eleanor's house was quiet when we arrived.

The police had already left.

A security guard stood near the entrance.

Vanessa used.

The police had already left.

A security guard stood near the entrance.

Vanessa used her access card.

We entered through the side door.

The attic was at her access card.

We entered through the side door.

The attic was at the end of a narrow staircase.

Dust covered the floorboards.

Old furniture stood beneath white sheets.

Vanessa walked toward a wooden cabinet.

"Here the end of a narrow staircase.

Dust covered the floorboards.

Old furniture stood beneath white sheets.

Vanessa walked toward a wooden cabinet.

"Here.""

She unlocked it.

Inside were several boxes.

Daniel photographed everything before we touched.""

She unlocked it.

Inside were several boxes.

Daniel photographed everything before we touched the contents.

I opened the first box.

Company statements the contents.

I opened the first box.

Company statements.

Supplier invoices.

Old fashion sketches.

Nothing unusual.

The second box contained.

Supplier invoices.

Old fashion sketches.

Nothing unusual.

The second box contained photographs.

My mother at fashion shows.

My mother in the sewing room.

My mother holding photographs.

My mother at fashion shows.

My mother in the sewing room.

My mother holding me as a baby.

I stopped me as a baby.

I stopped.

There was another photograph beneath it.

My mother sat in a hospital bed.

She looked exhausted.

But she was smiling.

In her arms was a tiny baby wrapped in a.

There was another photograph beneath it.

My mother sat in a hospital bed.

She looked exhausted.

But she was smiling.

In her arms was a tiny baby wrapped in a pale blue blanket.

Beside her stood Thomas Reed.

He was holding another baby.

Two babies.

Two daughters.

I stared at the picture.

On pale blue blanket.

Beside her stood Thomas Reed.

He was holding another baby.

Two babies.

Two daughters.

I stared at the picture.

On the back, my mother had written:

* the back, my mother had written:

My girls. My whole world.

I pressed the photograph against my chest.

For the first time in fourteen years, I could see whatMy girls. My whole world.*

I pressed the photograph against my chest.

For the first time in fourteen years, I could see what our family had looked like before Eleanor destroyed it.

Then I noticed a second line.

*One day, I will our family had looked like before Eleanor destroyed it.

Then I noticed a second line.

One day, I will bring you both home.

I felt tears roll down my cheeks.

Vanessa stood beside me.

"I'm sorry.""

bring you both home.*

I felt tears roll down my cheeks.

Vanessa stood beside me.

"I'm sorry.""

I didn't answer.

There were too many things I wanted to say.

Instead, I continued searchingI didn't answer.

There were too many things I wanted to say.

Instead, I continued searching.

At the bottom of the box was a thick envelope.

Inside were several bank statements.

The first payment had been made two weeks.

At the bottom of the box was a thick envelope.

Inside were several bank statements.

The first payment had been made two weeks after my birth.

The recipient was a private guardianship agency.

The amount was $250,000.

The after my birth.

The recipient was a private guardianship agency.

The amount was $250,000.

The next payment was made six months later.

Then another.

And another.

For fourteen years, someone had been receiving next payment was made six months later.

Then another.

And another.

For fourteen years, someone had been receiving money to keep my sister away from us.

I looked at the final statement.

The payments had stopped money to keep my sister away from us.

I looked at the final statement.

The payments had stopped only three months earlier.

I turned toward Daniel.

"Why did they stop?""

He examined the account only three months earlier.

I turned toward Daniel.

"Why did they stop?""

He examined the account.

"Because the recipient closed it.""

"Can.

"Because the recipient closed it.""

"Can we identify them?""

He looked at the last page.

Then his expression changed.

"The account was transferred to we identify them?""

He looked at the last page.

Then his expression changed.

"The account was transferred to a personal name.""

"Whose?""

He turned the document toward me.

The name was clear.

** a personal name.""

"Whose?""

He turned the document toward me.

The name was clear.

*Vanessa Bennett.*

I looked at her.

She stepped backward.

"No.""

"Vanessa Bennett.**

I looked at her.

She stepped backward.

"No.""

"Your name is on this account.""

"I've never seen that.""

"Did Eleanor give you money?""

"Your name is on this account.""

"I've never seen that.""

"Did Eleanor give you money?""

"Yes, but not that much.""

"How much?""

Vanessa shook her head.

"She said it wasYes, but not that much.""

"How much?""

Vanessa shook her head.

"She said it was an inheritance.""

I stared at her.

"How much?""

She whispered:

"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""

an inheritance.""

I stared at her.

"How much?""

She whispered:

"Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""

I felt cold.

The exact amount of the original payment.

Daniel took the statement.

"I felt cold.

The exact amount of the original payment.

Daniel took the statement.

"Vanessa, did you ever ask where the money came from?""

She started crying.

"She said it was from myVanessa, did you ever ask where the money came from?""

She started crying.

"She said it was from my grandmother.""

"Did you sign any documents?""

"Yes.""

"What grandmother.""

"Did you sign any documents?""

"Yes.""

"What documents?""

"She told me they were investment papers.""

Daniel looked at me.

"Someone documents?""

"She told me they were investment papers.""

Daniel looked at me.

"Someone may have used her identity to receive the payments.""

I looked at Vanessa.

"Did you know?""

She may have used her identity to receive the payments.""

I looked at Vanessa.

"Did you know?""

She shook her head violently.

"No, Maya. I swear shook her head violently.

"No, Maya. I swear.""

I wanted to believe her.

But the evidence was becoming difficult to ignore.

At the bottom of the cabinet, I found a small.""

I wanted to believe her.

But the evidence was becoming difficult to ignore.

At the bottom of the cabinet, I found a small notebook.

It belonged to Eleanor.

The pages contained handwritten notes about the company, the insurance policy, and the guardianship payments.

I opened it notebook.

It belonged to Eleanor.

The pages contained handwritten notes about the company, the insurance policy, and the guardianship payments.

I opened it carefully.

One entry was dated three weeks after my mother died.

*Claire's first daughter remains carefully.

One entry was dated three weeks after my mother died.

Claire's first daughter remains with the Harrington family. Payments secured.

Another entry appeared two years later.

Richard continues with the Harrington family. Payments secured.

Another entry appeared two years later.

Richard continues to believe the arrangement is temporary.

I frowned.

Richard believed?

I turned to believe the arrangement is temporary.*

I frowned.

Richard believed?

I turned another page.

The second daughter must never be allowed to contact Maya.

My hands began another page.

The second daughter must never be allowed to contact Maya.

My hands began shaking.

Then I found the final entry.

It was dated three months earlier.

*Harrington family has requested termination shaking.

Then I found the final entry.

It was dated three months earlier.

Harrington family has requested termination of the agreement. Child has been of the agreement. Child has been informed of her biological identity.

I stopped breathing.

The child had been informed.

Three informed of her biological identity.*

I stopped breathing.

The child had been informed.

Three months earlier.

My sister knew who she was.

I turned the page.

There was an months earlier.

My sister knew who she was.

I turned the page.

There was an address written in the margin.

And beneath it, a name.

*Isabella Reed.*

I address written in the margin.

And beneath it, a name.

*Isabella Reed.*

I whispered it.

"Isabella.""

Vanessa looked at me.

"That's her name?""

I whispered it.

"Isabella.""

Vanessa looked at me.

"That's her name?""

I nodded.

Daniel photographed the page.

Then he turned toward the staircase.

"We need to leave.""

"Why?""

He showed me his phone.

There was a message from his investigator.

*The Harrington property is empty. Neighbors report the family moved out six weeks ago.*

My heart dropped.

"Where did they go?""

Daniel read the next line.

*Their daughter, Isabella, was last seen entering a private medical facility in Boston.*

I stared at him.

"Why would she be in a medical facility?""

He continued reading.

Then his expression became grave.

"There's a note here.""

"What note?""

"She was nodded.

Daniel photographed the page.

Then he turned toward the staircase.

"We need to leave.""

"Why?""

He showed me his phone.

There was a message from his investigator.

*The Harrington property is empty. Neighbors report the family moved out six weeks ago.*

My heart dropped.

"Where did they go?""

Daniel read the next line.

*Their daughter, Isabella, was last seen entering a private medical facility in Boston.*

I stared at him.

"Why would she be in a medical facility?""

He continued reading.

Then his expression became grave.

"There's a note here.""

"What note?""

"She was admitted under a different name.""

I swallowed.

"Which name?""

Daniel looked at me.

"Claire Bennett.""

We drove to admitted under a different name.""

I swallowed.

"Which name?""

Daniel looked at me.

"Claire Bennett.""

We drove to Boston that night.

I barely spoke during Boston that night.

I barely spoke during the journey.

I kept looking at the photograph of my mother holding both babies.

My mother had known we belonged together.

She had planned to bring us home the journey.

I kept looking at the photograph of my mother holding both babies.

My mother had known we belonged together.

She had planned to bring us home.

But she had died before she could.

At eleven, I had lost my mother.

At eleven,.

But she had died before she could.

At eleven, I had lost my mother.

At eleven, Vanessa had learned to fear hers.

And somewhere Vanessa had learned to fear hers.

And somewhere, Isabella had grown up believing she had been abandoned, Isabella had grown up believing she had been abandoned.

I wondered whether she hated us.

Whether she.

I wondered whether she hated us.

Whether she thought my mother had chosen me over her.

Whether she knew that I had spent fourteen years wondering why something always felt missing.

Daniel's phone thought my mother had chosen me over her.

Whether she knew that I had spent fourteen years wondering why something always felt missing.

Daniel's phone rang.

He answered.

Listened.

Then looked at me.

"What?""

He covered the microphone.

rang.

He answered.

Listened.

Then looked at me.

"What?""

He covered the microphone.

"The medical facility has confirmed the admission.""

I leaned closer.

"Is she alive?""

He nodded.

"Yes.""

"The medical facility has confirmed the admission.""

I leaned closer.

"Is she alive?""

He nodded.

"Yes.""

I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"Can we see her?""

Daniel spoke into theI released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

"Can we see her?""

Daniel spoke into the phone again.

A few seconds later, he ended the call.

"They need to verify our identities before allowing contact.""

phone again.

A few seconds later, he ended the call.

"They need to verify our identities before allowing contact.""

"How long?""

"Until morning.""

I looked out at the passing streetlights"How long?""

"Until morning.""

I looked out at the passing streetlights.

Then my phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

*Maya Bennett?*

I stared at the screen.

Another message arrived.

**.

Then my phone vibrated.

An unknown number.

*Maya Bennett?*

I stared at the screen.

Another message arrived.

*My name is Isabella. I think we have the same mother.*

My fingers trembled.

I typed:

*We do.*

The replyMy name is Isabella. I think we have the same mother.**

My fingers trembled.

I typed:

*We do.*

The reply came almost immediately.

*I know.*

Then another message.

**But there's something you need to understand before we meet came almost immediately.

*I know.*

Then another message.

*But there's something you need to understand before we meet.*

I waited.

The next.**

I waited.

The next message appeared.

*I wasn't taken away because Eleanor wanted to steal me.*

I frowned.

Another message.

**Your mother message appeared.

*I wasn't taken away because Eleanor wanted to steal me.*

I frowned.

Another message.

*Your mother gave me away herself.*

My heart stopped.

I read the sentence again.

Then my phone gave me away herself.**

My heart stopped.

I read the sentence again.

Then my phone rang.

The number was hidden.

I answered.

A young woman's voice came through.

Soft.

Shaking.

rang.

The number was hidden.

I answered.

A young woman's voice came through.

Soft.

Shaking.

But unmistakably real.

"Maya?""

"Yes.""

"My nameBut unmistakably real.

"Maya?""

"Yes.""

"My name is Isabella Reed.""

I gripped the phone.

"Are you my sister?""

There was a long silence.

Then she whispered is Isabella Reed.""

I gripped the phone.

"Are you my sister?""

There was a long silence.

Then she whispered:

"Yes.""

I closed my eyes.

"Why did Mom give you away?""

Isabella:

"Yes.""

I closed my eyes.

"Why did Mom give you away?""

Isabella began crying.

"Because she thought one of us was going to die.""

I stopped breathing.

began crying.

"Because she thought one of us was going to die.""

I stopped breathing.

"What?""

She took a shaky breath.

Then she said:

"Maya, our mother didn't have two"What?""

She took a shaky breath.

Then she said:

"Maya, our mother didn't have two healthy babies when we were born.""

I looked at Daniel.

His expression changed healthy babies when we were born.""

I looked at Daniel.

His expression changed.

Isabella continued.

"One of us was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition. Mom was told there was only enough money.

Isabella continued.

"One of us was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition. Mom was told there was only enough money and medical support to save one child.""

I felt my knees weaken.

"Which one and medical support to save one child.""

I felt my knees weaken.

"Which one?""

She whispered:

"You.""

I couldn't speak.

"Mom didn't know whether I would survive," Isabella continued.

"She arranged for?""

She whispered:

"You.""

I couldn't speak.

"Mom didn't know whether I would survive," Isabella continued.

"She arranged for me to be raised by another family because she believed they could give me the treatment I needed.""

I pressed my me to be raised by another family because she believed they could give me the treatment I needed.""

I pressed my hand against my mouth.

"Then why did Eleanor take you?""

"Because she found out about the arrangement.""

hand against my mouth.

"Then why did Eleanor take you?""

"Because she found out about the arrangement.""

"What did she do?""

Isabella's voice dropped.

"She told my adoptive parents that Mom had"What did she do?""

Isabella's voice dropped.

"She told my adoptive parents that Mom had died and that I had no legal claim to anything.""

I closed my eyes.

"Is died and that I had no legal claim to anything.""

I closed my eyes.

"Isabella...""

"There's more, Maya.""

"What?""

She hesitated.

Then whispered:

"The reason Eleanor has beenabella...""

"There's more, Maya.""

"What?""

She hesitated.

Then whispered:

"The reason Eleanor has been stealing your mother's designs is because she believes the original Blue Hour collection contains the only document that can prove I was never legally adopted stealing your mother's designs is because she believes the original Blue Hour collection contains the only document that can prove I was never legally adopted.""

I looked at Daniel.

He was already reaching for his laptop.

Isabella continued.

"And Maya?""

".""

I looked at Daniel.

He was already reaching for his laptop.

Isabella continued.

"And Maya?""

"Yes?""

"Mom didn't just leave you the company.""

I held my breath.