The silence was the loudest it had ever been.

Not even the clock dared to tick.

“She filed for adoption,” Vanessa said again, her voice low but steady. “Private clinic.Florida. Same day the fake sonogram surfaced online.”

Adrian paced the foyer, his jaw clenched.

“How did she get approved?” he muttered.

“She hasn’t been,” Vanessa replied. “It’s still under review. But the documents… they’re polished. New ID. Clean record. She’s calling herself Serena ...