The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 279

Suzie looked from one to the other, puzzled. “If you have something to say, just say it.”

Oliver slowly sat down on another sofa. “Suzie, do you remember a few years ago… how Jamie looked for you for a while and then just… stopped?”

Suzie hadn’t expected Oliver to bring up Jamie. Her hand, holding the coffee spoon, paused for a fraction of a second before she asked nonchalantly, “Yes, what about it?”

“What I’m about to say is a bit long, so please don’t get anxious. Just listen to me until I’m finished,” Oliver began. “A few days after you went to Cherryblossom Town, Jamie had people following not just Stella, but me as well. Then, suddenly, he pulled back everyone who was tailing us. At the time, we also thought he had given up. But…”

Oliver paused, then continued, “As I kept digging into your identity, I used the birth certificate you showed me to find the hospital. There, I heard a rumor that someone was investigating a case of babies being switched at birth. Based on the timeline, it matched the year and month you were born.”

“So I paid some money and got a nurse to tell me that the family’s surname was Lockwood and gave me their address. But when I went there, their living room was set up for a memorial service. There was no photo, just a plaque with the word ‘Daughter.’ When I asked about a switched baby, they threw me out.”

“You told me before that Margaret and David said you weren’t their biological child. So, I began to suspect that they were the ones who switched you. I couldn't get anywhere with Margaret, so I decided to try and get some information from the weak-willed David.”

“After that, Margaret made a big show of hiring a search and rescue team. But where would they even look for you? In addition to the fake video, she and David also forged a suicide note. With the video and the note, they managed to convince the Lockwood family to stop searching for their daughter, and they also convinced Jamie.”

Seeing the shifting emotions on Suzie’s face, Oliver added softly, “What this means is, if the Lockwood family is your real family, they believe you’re dead, and with no body found, that’s why they set up an anonymous memorial. And as for Jamie… I think the reason he stopped looking for you is also because… he thinks you’re dead.”

“Suzie, I’m telling you all of this for two reasons. First, I think I can help you get a DNA test done with the Lockwood family. Second, I want to warn you to be cautious of Jamie. If he ever finds out you’re still alive…”