Maya's POV
"J.W. Jr." I stare at the email. "James Walsh Junior. Someone named themselves after him."
"Or James named them," Ethan says. "A son he was proud of. One he actually claimed."
"That's worse. Because that means this person was raised by James. Taught by him. Molded into his perfect child."
"We need to find them before they find Hope."
But finding J.W. Jr. proves impossible. No birth records. No social media. No trail.
It's like they don't exist.
"Maybe they're bluffing," Sophie suggests. "Trying to scare you."
"Or maybe they're that good at hiding."
One week passes. Then two. No more emails. No threats. No sign of this mysterious ninth child.
I start to relax. Maybe it was a hoax. Maybe
I faint.
One moment I'm standing in the kitchen making Hope lunch. The next I'm on the floor. Ethan shouting my name.
At the hospital, the doctor runs tests. Lots of tests.
"Well, Ms. Stone, I have news. You're pregnant."
The words don't make sense. "What?"
