Grace rushed to her small room, her hands shaking. She closed the door quickly and leaned against it, breathing heavily.
She picked up her phone and dialed Rachel's number with trembling fingers. The call connected almost instantly.
Rachel: (cheerful) Hey Grace! How are you doing?
Grace couldn't speak right away. Her voice broke as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Grace: Rachel… I have something to tell you
There was silence on the other end.
Rachel: Hannah what's wrong? Why do you sound like that?
Grace: Rachel, I found him… I found David.
Rachel: What?! Are you sure?
Grace: Yes. He's here… this house I work in—it's his house.
Rachel: Oh my God… and Victoria?
Grace: She's his wife. I saw their wedding pictures, Rachel. I thought my heart would stop…
Her voice cracked; she wiped her tears roughly.
Rachel: Hannah… breathe, please. What about Ella?
Grace's lips trembled. She took a deep breath before answering.
Grace: Rachel… she's here too.
Rachel: What? Ella?!
Grace: Yes, but they call her Felicity now.
Rachel gasped. You mean—your daughter has been with them all this time?
Grace nodded even though Rachel couldn't see her. All these years, Rachel… she was right here. David took her from me and gave her a new name.
Her voice lowered, trembling with emotion. She's my little girl… and she doesn't even know me.
Rachel: Oh Hannah… what are you going to do now?
Grace stared at the wall, her eyes full of pain but also determination. I don't know yet. But one thing I'm sure of—he won't keep her from me again.
There was silence for a moment—only Grace's quiet sobs could be heard.
Rachel: Be careful, Hannah. Don't rush. Find a way… but promise me you won't do anything that'll put you in danger.
Grace nodded softly. I promise. But Rachel… my heart won't rest until my daughter knows who I am.
Rachel stayed quiet on the other end of the line, still shocked. She could hear Hannah breathing heavily, her voice filled with pain but also strength.
Hannah: Rachel… listen to me carefully.
Rachel: I'm listening.
Hannah wiped her tears and looked around the small room to make sure no one could hear her.
Hannah: I won't show them that I know anything. I'll keep acting like Grace, the quiet housemaid. If I show my anger now, I might lose her again.
Her voice grew firmer.
Hannah: I'll protect my daughter with everything I have, Rachel. I'll make sure they pay for everything they did to her—for stealing her from me, for making her suffer all these years.
Rachel: Hannah… this is dangerous. Don't let your anger control you.
Hannah: It's not anger, Rachel. It's justice.
She took a deep breath, her eyes filled with determination.
Hannah: But first, I need to be sure. I'll find a way to take a DNA test. I have to confirm it, even though my heart already knows she's mine.
Rachel: How will you do that without them noticing?
Hannah: I'll figure it out. I'll be careful. For now, I'll stay close to her… watch over her, love her silently, until the day comes when she'll know the truth.
There was silence again—only the faint hum of the night could be heard.
Rachel: Promise me you'll stay strong, Hannah.
Hannah: I promise. For Ella. For my daughter.
She ended the call and sat on her bed, holding her chest as tears streamed down her face. But this time, she didn't cry out of pain.
She cried because she finally had hope.