"She's your mother!"
Old Mrs. Sterling's declaration hung in the air like a thunderclap. I blinked rapidly, trying to process her words.
"Mrs. Sterling, I think you're confused," I said gently. "Genevieve Thorne is my mother. Mrs. Dubois is Fiona's mother."
The old woman shook her head emphatically, silver curls bouncing. "No, no. Beatrice Hayes is your mother. I remember her pregnant with you. So happy, glowing. You have her eyes, my dear."
Arthur stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on his grandmother's shoulder. "Grandmother, you're mixing up your memories again. Elara was raised as the illegitimate daughter in the Dubois household."
"Raised as, perhaps," she insisted, her eyes suddenly sharp and clear. "But born of Beatrice. I'd stake my life on it."
My heart hammered against my ribs. This couldn't be true. It was just the confused ramblings of an elderly woman with memory issues.
