Chapter 406
Evelyn's breath caught in her throat as she witnessed the impossible scene before her. Was this truly Reginald, the boy who had always retreated into his own silent world?
The child who shunned all human contact now stood before her, engaged and responsive.
Adelaide Montgomery's hands trembled as she pressed them to her mouth. Never in all these years had her son shown such progress with anyone.
Then her tear-filled gaze found Evelyn.
The younger woman squeezed Reginald's small hand gently. "You're doing wonderfully, sweetheart. So brave today."
Reginald nodded, his dark eyes shining with uncharacteristic clarity.
Adelaide felt her knees weaken. Twenty specialists over five years had failed where this stranger succeeded in mere minutes.
"Bless you," she whispered hoarsely. "I don't know how to thank you enough."
Evelyn gave a small shake of her head. "He's perfect just as he is. The world needs to learn his language, not the other way around."
Though their questions about Juliette remained unanswered, Harrison Whitmore exchanged a meaningful look with Evelyn. This breakthrough alone made their visit worthwhile.
"We should be going," Harrison said, offering Adelaide a respectful nod. "Thank you for your time today."
They had just reached the bookstore's antique door when frantic footsteps echoed behind them.
"Wait! Please!"
Adelaide's fingers clutched Evelyn's sleeve desperately. "You were right," she gasped. "The woman calling herself Juliette Blackwood is an imposter."
Evelyn's pulse spiked. Though she'd suspected as much, hearing the confirmation still sent shockwaves through her.
Adelaide glanced nervously around the empty shop. "Not here. Come with me - I'll show you the truth."
Harrison's protective hand found the small of Evelyn's back as they followed Adelaide outside. The older woman locked up quickly, leaving instructions with her staff before leading them to a waiting car.
During the drive through the city's outskirts, Evelyn's curiosity burned. "Where exactly are we going, Adelaide?"
"Somewhere the truth has been waiting five years," came the cryptic reply.
When the car finally stopped, Evelyn's stomach dropped. The wrought iron gates ahead bore a single word in elegant script: Elysium.
"A cemetery?" Evelyn's voice wavered.
Adelaide stepped out without answering, her black coat fluttering like raven's wings in the autumn wind. They followed her down winding paths between marble monuments until she stopped abruptly before a modest headstone.
With trembling hands, Adelaide brushed away fallen leaves to reveal the inscription:
Danielle Delaney
Beloved Daughter & Friend
1990-2018
"The real Juliette died in that car crash five years ago," Adelaide whispered. "The woman you know is someone else entirely."
Evelyn's mind reeled. All the pieces clicked into horrifying place - the inexplicable hostility, the stolen designs, the carefully constructed lies.
"Then who," Evelyn demanded, her voice steel, "is pretending to be Juliette Blackwood?"