Six Letters for Six Children
Chapter 02 - Six Letters for Six Children
The celebration ended without anyone announcing it. Musicians lowered their instruments, and the Sterling family gathered in the library while snow pressed against the windows.
Elena introduced the children one by one: Noah, Lily, Lucas, Grace, Owen, and Sophie. They were sextuplets, born eleven weeks early on the night Victoria told Adrian that Elena had lost the pregnancy and disappeared with a settlement. Elena had been told a different story. A lawyer arrived at the hospital with papers supposedly signed by Adrian, declaring that he wanted no contact with her or the babies.
The document in Rose’s envelope was the original abandonment agreement.
Adrian read the first paragraph and shook his head. “I never signed this.”
“I know that now,” Elena replied. “I didn’t know it then.”
Victoria’s attorney had threatened to take the children if Elena challenged the Sterling family. Weak from surgery and terrified for six premature babies, Elena accepted relocation money and entered a maternal-care program in another state. Every Christmas, the children wrote Adrian. Every envelope was returned unopened.
Victoria called the story absurd and demanded DNA tests.
Rose ignored her. The envelope also contained a letter from Adrian’s late father, Thomas. Before his death, he had discovered trust payments to the lawyer who relocated Elena. He suspected someone had forged Adrian’s signature, but a stroke stopped his investigation. He sent the evidence to Elena with instructions to bring it to Rose when she felt safe.
Camille removed her engagement ring and placed it on the desk.
“Is any part of this news to you?” she asked Victoria.
Victoria’s silence lasted one second too long.
Elena opened scanned copies of the children’s letters. Adrian selected the newest one, written by Noah.
Dear Dad, I don’t know what I did wrong, but I hope you have a good Christmas anyway.
Adrian sat down as if the room had tilted. Seven years of birthdays, first steps, school plays, and bedtime stories had existed without him.
“Why didn’t you call me directly?” he asked.
Elena’s voice remained steady. “I did. Your private number answered once. A woman said you had a new life and would have the children placed in separate homes if I called again.”
Everyone turned toward Victoria.
Sophie reached into her coat and placed one final envelope on the desk.
May you like
“This one wasn’t mailed,” she said. “Mom said we should give it to Dad ourselves.”
On the front, in six different handwritings, were the words: One last chance.
