She Played His Dead Wife's Song, And the Billionaire Knew the Truth
Chapter 3 — The Cradle Record
By midnight, Julian's legal team had locked down the mansion.
No guest was allowed back into the private wing. No employee was allowed to destroy records. No driver was allowed to leave the property without being identified.
Celeste called him cruel.
Julian called it late caution.
His lawyer, Nora Hale, arrived before one in the morning. She had represented Julian for ten years and had never seen him like this.
"Tell me exactly what you need," Nora said.
Julian placed Elena's sheet music in front of her.
"I need the truth."
Nora studied the handwriting, then looked at Lily.
The child had fallen asleep in the wheelchair with one hand still resting near the piano keys. Every few minutes, her leg twitched, as if pain followed her even into sleep.
"Has she been examined?" Nora asked softly.
"Not yet."
"Then we start there. DNA, medical history, and hospital records."
Julian's jaw tightened. "And Celeste?"
Nora did not answer quickly.
"Celeste controlled the medical decisions after Elena's delivery. She also controlled the estate for six months while you disappeared from public life."
Julian looked at her sharply.
"Why did you never tell me that?"
"Because I was not your lawyer then. Your father appointed Celeste before he died. She already had authority."
The old pain returned.
His father had trusted Celeste completely.
So had Julian.
That was how she had survived.
The next day, Lily was examined by a private pediatric specialist. The doctor confirmed what Julian could already feel in his bones. Lily had received poor care for years. Her wheelchair was outdated. Her legs were not completely paralyzed. There was nerve damage, untreated muscle weakness, and signs of a childhood injury that had never been properly corrected.
Julian sat beside her through the examination, his hands closed into fists.
"Can she walk someday?" he asked.
The doctor looked at Lily gently.
"With surgery and therapy, there is a chance."
Lily stared at Julian.
"Really?"
Julian's voice broke slightly.
"Yes."
For the first time, the girl smiled.
Then Nora entered with a file in her hand.
"The DNA results are not back yet," she said. "But I found something else."
She placed a hospital document on the desk.
It was a cradle transfer record from the night Elena died.
One infant girl had been moved from Silver House Medical Center to a private facility under a false name.
The authorization signature belonged to Celeste Vale.
But the receiving doctor was even worse.
Dr. Adrian Cross.
Elena's former obstetrician.
The same doctor who had told Julian his baby was dead.
Julian stared at the signature.
Then Nora said quietly, "He is still alive."
Before Julian could speak, the mansion phone rang.
A security guard answered, listened, then turned pale.
"Sir, Dr. Cross is at the gate."
