Chapter 9 - The Truth About His Father
Claire's words hit Ethan like a punch to the chest.
He stared down at Lily.
Her crystal-blue eyes. Her soft golden curls. The delicate shape of her face.
She looked exactly like he had in his childhood photographs.
"No." Ethan shook his head. "That's impossible!"
His jaw tightened.
"My father died in a plane crash ten years ago!"
"He didn't die," Claire whispered, her voice trembling with fear.
Ethan stared at her.
"Your father was held captive inside a private genetic research facility for the past ten years. Lily was created through cloning technology and in vitro fertilization using your father's DNA."
Claire glanced toward the garage entrance before continuing.
"He created her to preserve a genetic code that could unlock a multibillion-dollar inheritance—and some extremely dangerous research."
A cold sensation crept up Ethan's spine.
"Then why do you have her?"
Claire's eyes filled with fresh tears.
"I was the doctor assigned to care for your father before he died a month ago."
Ethan went still.
"Before he took his last breath, he entrusted Lily to me. He told me, 'Find Ethan. His pendant is the only thing that can activate the tracking device containing the entire truth.'"
Ethan looked down at the gold pendant resting against his chest.
Lily stirred in his arms.
Her tiny fingers reached toward the necklace and accidentally pressed the ruby set into its center.
Click.
A hidden compartment on the back of the pendant sprang open.
May you like
A thin beam of blue laser light shot out—
And landed directly on Lily's forehead.
