Twin Cupids at Work Daddy Come Home novel Chapter 649

“It can’t be. No way. Carter must’ve screwed something up.” Claire whispered to herself, doing her best to keep her nerves in check.

If Madeline had really been found, there’s no way today would be this calm. Julian and the others would have already been here, demanding answers. That’s what she clung to.

Still, no amount of self-reassurance could calm the tight knots in her stomach. Carter wasn’t picking up his phone, and she had no idea what was happening. The waiting, the not knowing, it was driving her crazy.

“Miss, the guests have arrived. Should you come out now?”

The sudden voice at the door startled her. Claire’s brows knit together. “Yeah. I’m coming.”

“Shelly said she’ll arrive a bit later. She asked you to handle things for now.”

“Got it.”

Claire set her phone down and took a long, steadying breath. She had come too far to back out now. All she could do was move forward, one step at a time.

In the mirror, her reflection stared back. Tonight, she’d chosen a sleeveless dress on purpose. Lucy had once called her an imposter, pointing out the scar on her arm as proof. That scar, which used to make her self-conscious, was now the one thing that set her apart from Madeline. She’d show it off with pride tonight.

So many people had been eager to watch her fall. Now, here she was, standing beside Shelly, officially recognized as Ms. Ballard.

Claire straightened up and walked out with her head held high.

Meanwhile, at the Ballard estate...

Madeline gripped Julian’s arm as he led her inside, her steps wavering between quick and hesitant, her whole body brimming with a mix of hope and fear. Over and over, she asked, “Julian, is my mom really back?”

“Yes. You’ll see her soon.” Julian’s voice was always patient, never wavering.

Madeline’s heart felt like it could jump right out of her chest. She couldn’t shake the fear that this was all just a cruel dream, that she’d wake up and find nothing had changed.

Shelly’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears as she took in the sight of Madeline, her eyes still bandaged.

Her sweet girl. If only it hadn’t been for her mistakes, Madeline would never have endured so much. For the last couple of days, Shelly had done everything to find out what her daughter had gone through all these years.

She’d been cast aside by the Monroes, unloved and abandoned. After marrying into the Grayson family, her husband turned cold, and Christian’s hatred nearly broke her. And now, because of what had happened long ago, Claire had ruined her eyes.

Shelly had once thought that leaving would keep her daughter safe. She’d been so wrong. Her choices had only brought Madeline more pain.

Her poor girl hadn’t had a single peaceful day in thirteen years. All of this—every heartbreak, every scar—it was on her.

At that moment, Shelly felt her heart break completely.

“Madeline, yes. It’s me. I’m here. I’m your mom.”