Evelyn took the photo.
The photo was yellowed and worn at the edges.
The pixels were blurry, as if it had been restored.
A man and a woman were in the photo.
The man was in his twenties, his features resembling Ryan Roland.
The woman wore an evening gown, elegant in demeanor.
Evelyn's pupils constricted sharply.
This woman… looked too much like her.
Not just a resemblance, but a near identical likeness.
The eyes, the nose, the mouth…
Every detail was the same.
Evelyn's fingers tightened.
She looked at Mr. Roland. "Who is this?"
Mr. Roland pondered for a moment. "Madam Nan."
Evelyn was stunned. "Madam Nan?"
"Sophia Ashcroft," Mr. Roland said. "Mrs. Ashcroft's mother."
Evelyn's mind buzzed.
Mrs. Ashcroft's mother…
Looking so much like her…
Could it be…
A wild thought began to sprout.
Was she Mrs. Ashcroft's daughter?
Evelyn's fingertips trembled.
She pinched herself hard.
It hurt.
This wasn't a dream.
Chloe rushed over. "My savior, you pinched my brother!"
Ryan Roland: "…"
Evelyn looked at Mr. and Mrs. Roland. "What are you implying?"
Mrs. Roland took her hand. "Evelyn, have you never doubted it?"
Evelyn pressed her lips together.
She had doubted.
But the DNA test…
The sample was provided by Linda Lowell.
What if it had been switched?
Evelyn's heart raced.
Mrs. Roland said softly, "Have you ever considered that Mrs. Ashcroft might be your mother?"
Tears instantly fell from Evelyn's eyes.
Was it true?
Had her dream come true?
Joy, panic, disbelief.
A mix of emotions swirled within her.
She looked at Ryan.
Chloe pinched Ryan.
Ryan frowned. "That hurts."
Chloe exclaimed, "It's real!"
Evelyn wiped her tears.
She laughed.
Then she cried again.
"I'm sorry."
Mr. Roland said loudly, "Let's eat first!"
Evelyn stood up. "I'm going to the Ashcroft residence now."
She took the photo and walked out.
Mr. Roland was taken aback. "You haven't eaten!"
Mrs. Roland glared at him. "This is all your fault!"
She grabbed her coat and hurried after Evelyn.
Mr. Roland followed.
Chloe wanted to follow but was stopped by Ryan.
"Stay home."
Ryan turned and left.
…
The night wind was cold.
Evelyn felt clearer.
She walked toward the Ashcroft home.
Her steps were firm.
She raised her hand and knocked.
This time, she would get answers.