Chapter 137

The clicking of high heels gradually faded as Nicole Capra's figure disappeared through the hospital room door.

Susan Thompson's fingers clutched the bedsheet so tightly her knuckles turned white.

She was actually Catherine Capra and Victor Thompson's daughter.

Memories flooded back. That inexplicable sense of familiarity when she first saw Catherine on TV as a child. The warmth that surged in her heart every time she saw Ethan Sullivan. The Thompson parents' obvious favoritism toward Nicole...

Now everything made sense.

Her phone screen lit up, displaying a slideshow of Catherine's photos. Susan traced the images with trembling fingers, her vision blurred by tears.

"Mom..."

The woman in the photos had delicate features and an elegant demeanor. But Susan knew how tenderhearted she truly was. Nicole had bragged countless times about having the best mother in the world.

An invisible hand seemed to squeeze her heart.

She suddenly remembered Ethan's words. In those brief moments when Catherine regained consciousness after her injury, her first words were telling Victor not to hurt her.

"Mom..." Susan pressed the phone against her chest. "I love you too..."

The hospital room was eerily silent.

She had to tell Victor the truth. But who would believe her? He only had eyes for that impostor Nicole now.

If only Ethan were still here...

Susan abruptly grabbed her phone and dialed Nathan Foster's number.

No answer.

After a dozen attempts, she dropped the phone in defeat.

The ringtone suddenly blared. "Andrew Lucas" flashed across the screen.

"Made up your mind?" The man's icy voice came through.

Susan froze. "About what?"

"Apologizing to Nicole." Andrew's tone simmered with restrained anger.

"Never." Her voice was soft but firm.

Silence stretched for several seconds.

"Andy." The childhood nickname slipped out, startling them both.

"Help me." She took a deep breath. "Tell the Thompsons Nicole isn't their daughter. She's an impostor—"

"Susan!" Andrew's voice sharpened. "The DNA test proved it! Are you seriously claiming you're their daughter now?"

She gripped the phone tighter, silent.

"You're beyond redemption!" The call ended with a violent click.

The phone slid from her limp hand as Susan stared blankly out the window.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

Several distorted figures staggered in, wearing grotesque smiles.