Chapter 255
The birthmark on Caitlin’s arm was a deep, vivid red, its shape almost elegant- like a little five-petaled flower. Against her pale skin, it stood out sharply, as if a red blossom had bloomed in fresh snow.
The moment everyone in the living room caught sight of it, time seemed to freeze. Disappointment was instantly swept away, replaced by a spark of hope and excitement. Their eyes darted between Caitlin and one another, their faces alight. Everything matched.
Freya had the same dimpled smile as Caitlin. Freya had a birthmark Caitlin had it, too. The possibility was suddenly very real.
Hannah’s pupils shrank as she stared at the mark. It overlapped perfectly with the memory of the birthmark she’d once seen on her granddaughter’s arm. Yes—that was it! She remembered now. Freya’s birthmark was on her right arm, not the left. Jade struggled to contain her shock and quickly walked over to Hannah, gently taking her arm as if to steady the older woman, urging her to stay calm.
Then Jade turned to Caitlin, managing a smile. “Dr. Kensington, that’s a beautiful tattoo on your arm p>
Caitlin was busy dabbing away some spilled water and hadn’t noticed the sudden tension in the room. She looked up at Jade’s comment and shrugged lightly. “Oh, this? It’s not a tattoo, just a birthmark. I’ve had it since I was born p>
Not a tattoo.
Jade caught Caitlin’s reply, her mind racing. She said it’s not a tattoo!
Everyone else in the Richards family had heard it too. The air seemed to vibrate with emotion. Hannah opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Nineteen years. She’d waited for this day for nineteen long years.
Jade, still fighting to keep her composure, pressed on. “Dr. Kensington, you’re remarkably accomplished for someone so young. Your parents must be incredibly proud of you p>
At the mention of parents, Caitlin paused before answering. “Lady Jade, I don’t have any parents p>
She said it so lightly, but it was enough to tug at everyone’s heart.
Warren hurried to ask, “Where-where did they go?” The others all turned to Caitlin, waiting anxiously for her answer.
“I’m an orphan,” Caitlin replied, still sounding casual. She lifted her glass and took a sip of water. “I grew up with my grandfather. The elders in my village used to say he found me in a ditch when I was just a baby, covered in blood. Nobody thought I’d survive. But I guess I was lucky p>
Found in a ditch. Covered in blood.
Hannah felt her chest tighten with pain; she could barely breathe.
Frederick Richards’ voice was thick with emotion as he asked, “Dr. Kensington, forgive me for being blunt, but how old were you when your grandfather found you p>
“About three or four months old,” Caitlin answered.
Three or four months.
At those words, Hannah could no longer hold back. Her Freya had vanished at exactly three months old. Caitlin had to be her Freya.
With a choked sob, Hannah threw her arms around Caitlin, tears streaming down her face. “Freya! You’re my Freya! You’ve finally come home. All these years, I thought I’d never see you again p>
“Freya, my dear Freya! I’m so sorry-I searched for you everywhere, I never stopped looking for you!” The others in the room wiped away tears of their own.
Caitlin herself was at a loss for words. This was the second time Hannah had mistaken her for Freya.
There was no doubt-Freya was truly loved. Even after so many years, there were people who had never stopped waiting for her.
Not like her. Caitlin’s heart was heavy with memories of her past life. She hugged Hannah back, gently patting her on the back and speaking softly. “Ma’am, you’ve made a mistake. I’m not Freya p>
“Yes, you are!” Hannah clung to her, unwilling to let go. “You’re my Freya p>
She was terrified that if she let go, Freya would disappear again—just like nineteen years ago. Hannah couldn’t bear to lose her a second time.