The Hidden heir’s revenge

Chapter 96 — The Sister They Hid in Plain Sight

“Your sister is Naomi.”

The words came from the original Adrian’s mouth.

Varek stared at him.

Adrian stood beside the hospital bed, unable to speak.

The little girl had moved behind Varek, holding the back of his jacket.

Samuel looked at the computer.

“That’s impossible.”

The original Adrian gave a weak smile.

“Is it? You’ve spent twenty-nine years believing that every child had one identity. You still haven’t learned.”

Varek stepped closer.

“Explain what you mean.”

The man on the bed struggled to sit up.

“Naomi was born before you. She was the first daughter of Eleanor and Matthew. But her identity was taken from her before she could even be registered.”

Varek shook his head.

“Naomi’s mother was Isabella.”

“That’s what her records say.”

“You’re saying those records are false?”

“Most of them are.”

Adrian moved closer.

“Why would Naomi be raised as someone else’s daughter?”

The original Adrian looked at him.

“Because she was the only child who could unlock the original family archive without a transfer.”

Samuel frowned.

“That doesn’t make sense. The archive requires the original guardian.”

The man smiled.

“Exactly.”

He looked towards the computer.

“Naomi was the original guardian.”

Varek felt a chill run through him.

The photograph of Naomi from twenty-nine years ago.

The old medical records.

The pendant.

The mysterious seventh compartment.

Everything suddenly seemed connected.

But there was still one question.

“Why did you say she was my sister?”

The original Adrian looked at him.

“Because she was born twenty-three minutes before you.”

Varek went still.

He remembered the birth documents Naomi had discovered.

Two female children.

Twenty-three minutes apart.

He looked at Samuel.

“Those records said two girls were born.”

Samuel nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

The original Adrian continued.

“One was Naomi. The other was the child standing behind you.”

Varek turned towards the little girl.

She looked confused.

“Then who am I?”

The man smiled.

“That’s what they want you to keep asking.”

⸻

At the secure location, Naomi was staring at Daniel.

“Say that again.”

Daniel looked at her.

“Varek is my sister.”

Naomi shook her head.

“Varek is a man.”

Daniel nodded.

“I know.”

“Then how can he be your sister?”

Daniel pointed at the photograph.

“Because the child they called Varek was born a girl.”

Naomi looked at Matthew.

“Is that true?”

Matthew remained silent.

Evelyn stepped forward.

“Answer her.”

Matthew finally spoke.

“The first Varek was a girl.”

Naomi felt her knees weaken.

“But the Varek we know…”

“Was born under another identity.”

“Then who is the man we know?”

Matthew looked at her.

“He’s the child who was given the name Varek after the original girl was removed.”

Naomi stared at the photograph again.

There were seven babies.

But something was wrong.

She counted them.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Seven.

Then she noticed a small handwritten note beneath the photograph.

THE FIRST TWO WERE GIRLS.

Naomi looked up.

“Where is the other girl?”

Matthew smiled.

“You’re looking at her.”

Naomi froze.

He pointed at her.

“You’re the second girl.”

Evelyn stepped between them.

“Enough. You’re not going to keep confusing her with these stories.”

Matthew ignored her.

“Naomi, you were never supposed to grow up as Naomi Cross. You were supposed to inherit the original guardian’s position.”

Naomi shook her head.

“Then who is the woman who gave birth to me?”

Matthew looked towards the door.

“Ask the woman who just entered.”

Everyone turned.

An elderly woman stood at the entrance.

She had grey hair and a walking stick.

Naomi recognized her immediately.

It was the woman Richard had shown her in the photograph.

Her mother.

But this time, she was not restrained.

She was standing freely.

Naomi rushed towards her.

“Mum!”

The woman raised one hand.

“Don’t come closer.”

Naomi stopped.

The woman’s eyes filled with tears.

“I’m sorry.”

Naomi shook her head.

“Why are you apologizing?”

The woman looked at Matthew.

“Because I should have told you the truth before he did.”

Naomi’s voice trembled.

“Who am I?”

The woman took a slow breath.

“You’re my daughter.”

Naomi started crying.

“But am I really your biological daughter?”

The woman nodded.

“Yes.”

“Then why does everyone keep saying I’m someone else?”

Her mother stepped closer.

“Because your name was stolen before you were born.”

Naomi looked at Matthew.

“Is he my brother?”

The woman nodded.

“Yes.”

Naomi swallowed.

“And Adrian?”

Her mother looked down.

“He’s your brother too.”

Naomi covered her mouth.

For several seconds, she couldn’t speak.

Then she asked the question that had been troubling her.

“Does Adrian know?”

Her mother shook her head.

“Not yet.”

⸻

Back in the maternity ward, the original Adrian was growing weaker.

Samuel checked the monitor.

“His condition is unstable.”

Adrian looked at him.

“Can we move him?”

“No. The medical system is keeping his organs functioning. Moving him could kill him.”

Varek looked towards the computer.

“Then open the archive.”

Samuel hesitated.

“The archive requires the original guardian.”

“Naomi.”

“Yes.”

Varek took out his phone.

He tried calling Naomi.

There was no signal.

He tried again.

Nothing.

Adrian paced the room.

“We need another way.”

The original Adrian suddenly grabbed his wrist.

“Don’t bring her here.”

Adrian looked down.

“Why?”

“Because the moment she enters this facility, the system will recognize her as the original guardian.”

“And?”

The man swallowed.

“It will begin the final transfer.”

Samuel looked at the computer.

A warning had appeared.

ORIGINAL GUARDIAN DETECTED.

LOCATION: SECURE FACILITY.

FINAL TRANSFER WINDOW: OPEN.

Varek stared.

“Naomi is already there.”

The original Adrian closed his eyes.

“Then we’re too late.”

Suddenly, the computer displayed a new message.

TRANSFER TARGETS:

NAOMI THORNE.

ADRIAN THORNE.

VAREK THORNE.

DANIEL CROSS.

Samuel stepped backwards.

“All four of them?”

The original Adrian nodded.

“The final transfer doesn’t separate the children. It brings them together.”

Adrian looked at him.

“What happens when it finishes?”

The man opened his eyes.

“One identity will remain.”

Varek’s face hardened.

“Whose?”

The original Adrian looked directly at him.

“Mine.”

⸻

At the secure location, Naomi’s mother had finally explained the first part of the truth.

But before Naomi could ask another question, the lights flickered.

Evelyn rushed towards the security panel.

“Something is accessing the system.”

Matthew looked at his phone.

“The final transfer has started.”

Naomi turned towards him.

“What transfer?”

He looked at her.

“The one that will decide which of you gets to keep your identity.”

Her mother grabbed Naomi’s hand.

“Don’t let them take you.”

Naomi looked frightened.

“Who is trying to take me?”

Matthew answered.

“The original Adrian.”

Naomi shook her head.

“But he’s in the medical facility.”

“His body is. His memories are connected to the archive.”

Daniel suddenly began crying.

Naomi bent down.

“What’s wrong, baby?”

He looked at her.

“Mummy, I can hear someone.”

“Who?”

Daniel covered his ears.

“He’s calling me.”

Naomi held him tightly.

“Who is calling you?”

The boy looked towards the ceiling.

Then he whispered:

“The man who is inside Daddy.”

Naomi went cold.

Her phone rang.

It was Adrian.

She answered immediately.

“Adrian!”

His voice sounded desperate.

“Naomi, listen to me. Whatever happens, don’t let Daniel touch the pendant.”

She looked at her son.

“Why?”

Adrian’s voice dropped.

“Because Daniel isn’t just the eighth child.”

A loud crash came through the phone.

Then Adrian shouted:

“He’s the one who controls the transfer!”

The call disconnected.

Daniel slowly raised his head.

His eyes were fixed on the pendant around Naomi’s neck.

Then he reached for it.

And in a voice that didn’t sound like his own, he said:

“Finally. I can go home.”