Chapter4
Celestia's POV
The news clipping trembled in my hands. Theodore Ashford outside Boston Children's Hospital, expression haunted.
In my last life, Isabelle shoved this in my face. Your real father who abandoned you is some CEO. Back then I'd been too broken to care.
But I'd found the truth. Fourteen years of missing person notices. Rewards climbing to half a million. He'd been looking for me.
My hands shook as I traced his face in the photo. This stranger was my father. What if he takes one look and sees what Maxwell saw? Damaged goods. Not worth keeping.
The thoughts circled and I couldn't breathe. Outside, strangers hurried past wrapped in certainty they belonged somewhere. I watched with an ache so deep it felt like drowning.
I was so tired. Tired of being alone. Tired of belonging nowhere.
Maybe I could have a family that wanted me. The hope hurt like holding broken glass.
Thursday evening. Hospital corridor. Black coat, trying to blend with donors.
My heart hammered. They can see I don't belong. They know I'm trash pretending.
Then I saw him. Theodore Ashford shaking hands with the director.
That's my father. The world tilted.
He looked older than the photos. Exhaustion carved into every line. What am I doing? What if this is a mistake?
His assistant stepped away. Theodore turned toward the pediatric wing.
Now.
I followed on trembling legs. Each step felt like walking off a cliff.
Then he stopped. Hand clutched his chest. Face drained white.
No.
He stumbled. Fumbled for his pocket, hands shaking.
Heart attack.
Terror ripped through me. Not now. I can't lose him before I even tell him who I am.
I was running. Caught him as he collapsed. Lowered him down. Pill bottle rolled away.
My hands shook violently as I grabbed the nitroglycerin. Nearly dropped it. Got a tablet under his tongue.
"Breathe. You have to be okay."
His eyes found mine. Confused. Struggling.
This is my father and he's dying.
The pill wasn't working. Breathing shallow. Skin going gray.
I positioned my hands. Began compressions.
"Don't you dare die." My voice broke. "Don't leave me before I meet you. Please."
Thirty compressions. Two breaths. Tears blurred everything. Keep going.
Then he gasped. Coughed. Eyes flew open.
Relief hit so hard I nearly collapsed. I sat back, shaking.
He's alive.
Medical staff rushed over. Theodore's hand caught my wrist.
"Wait." Hoarse. "Who are you?"
I looked down at him. Not how it was supposed to happen.
But he was looking at me like I mattered.
"Someone who knows heart attacks."
Faint smile. "You saved my life."
"What's your name?"
"Celestia Ravencroft."
They loaded him onto the gurney. His grip tightened.
"Come with me."
He wants me to stay.
Something warm unfurled in my chest.
"Okay."
Private room. Theodore sat propped against pillows. Monitors beeping steady.
I stood by the window. I'd imagined this moment but never like this.
"They tell me you performed CPR. Textbook perfect."
"I've had practice."
"That's not something most twenty two year olds say."
"I'm not most twenty two year olds."
"No. Without you, I would have died. Name your reward."
My throat went tight. What if he calls security?
"I don't want money."
"Then what?"
I crossed to the bed. Gripped the railing. "I want you to listen. And not dismiss it as crazy."
He nodded. "All right."
Deep breath. No going back.
I pulled out the clipping. "Twenty two years ago, your daughter Aria was taken from Boston General. Eight months old. Never found."
Theodore went still.
"I was adopted by Maxwell Whitmore at eight months. But I found records." Phone out with trembling hands. "Wire transfers. Emails. He bought me from traffickers."
I met his eyes. "I think I'm Aria."
Silence. Theodore's face pale.
"That's impossible." Voice rough.
The words hit like a blow. "Please."
"I've had dozens claim to be Aria. Con artists. I've tested so many samples. Every one negative."
He thinks I'm lying.
"Then test mine." Desperate. "Please. Just check."
He stared.
"Why now?"
Because I'm tired of being nobody's daughter.
"Because I deserve the truth. And so do you."
He reached for the call button.
"Get Dr. Frost. DNA test. Priority."
Hope fluttered, fragile.
They took samples. Dr. Frost arrived, skeptical.
"Results in a few hours."
Theodore looked at me. "Will you wait?"
"I'll wait."
Silence except monitor beeps. Each beep counting down.
What if I'm wrong?
"The CPR. Where did you learn it?"
"Practice."
"That's not an answer, Celestia."
The way he said my name made my chest ache.
He studied me. "You're afraid of me."
"You're braced like you expect me to hurt you. What did the Whitmores do?"
Everything.
"They weren't kind."
The look in his eyes. Like he already believed me.
"If you're her, I failed you. Fourteen years."
"You looked." My voice cracked. "You never stopped."
"It wasn't enough."
Silence. Waiting.
Deep down, I knew.
2 AM. Dr. Frost returned. My heart stopped.
"The results are in."
I forgot to breathe.
"And?"
She handed him the folder. "Paternity probability ninety nine point nine percent. She's your daughter."
The world tilted.
Theodore stared at the paper, hands trembling. Read it three times.
Then looked up. Eyes bright with tears.
"Aria."
Like a prayer. Like a miracle. It broke something open inside me.
He stood. Pulled me into his arms. Embrace tight, desperate.
"I'm sorry. Should have found you."
I stood rigid. Every instinct screaming trap.
But he was crying.
This father was crying for me.
When was the last time anyone held me like I was precious?
The wall shattered.
I raised trembling arms and hugged him back. Tears came. Fourteen years of loneliness pouring out.
We stood like that. Me learning to be held. Him learning his daughter was real.
When we pulled apart, he kept hands on my shoulders.
"You're coming home."
"I have an apartment."
"You're coming home. No arguments."
I was so tired of being alone.
"Okay."
He smiled through tears. "Welcome home, Aria."
Something frozen began to thaw.
3 AM. Gates opened. Mansion in darkness.
Theodore led me inside. He introduced me as my daughter.
My throat went tight.
"Your room."
Four poster bed. Windows overlooking gardens.
Too beautiful.
"Theodore."
"Dad. Or Father. Not Theodore."
I'd never called anyone Dad.
"I need time."
"Of course. Get some rest."
Panic fluttered. What if this is a dream?
"Thank you for believing me."
He looked back. Smile soft. "Thank you for finding your way home."
Door closed.
I walked to the bathroom. Turned on the shower. Slid to cold tile.
Tears came. For lost childhood. For fourteen years with people who never wanted me.
But not just grief. Something else.
Hope. Happiness. Home.
I cried until nothing left. Then climbed into bed.
For the first time in two lifetimes, I fell asleep feeling safe.
Morning sunlight woke me. Memory returned. My heart skipped.
Real.
Voices from downstairs. I followed the sound.
Theodore with a young man who looked up and froze.
"Dad, who is this?" Stared. "Holy shit."
"Sebastian. Language."
But Sebastian wasn't listening. Eyes bright with tears.
"You found her. You actually found Aria."
He crossed to me. Stopped short. "I'm Sebastian. Your brother. Been looking for you fourteen years."
Brother.
I could hear the genuine emotion.
"Celestia."
"Celestia Ashford." Such joy.
He held out his hand. I took it. Grip warm, real.
"Welcome home, little sister."
Standing in this bright room with my father watching and my brother holding my hand, I believed it.
I actually had a home.
