The Vanishing Heiress

Chapter 18

At that moment, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, along with their younger daughter Emily, arrived.

Seeing her once-beloved daughter in such a tearful, disheveled state, Mrs. Montgomery couldn't find the words to describe how she felt.

Emily had already told them everything the day before.

Mrs. Montgomery had fainted multiple times, while Mr. Montgomery, who had quit smoking over a decade ago, sat slumped in a chair, lighting a cigarette with a defeated expression.

"Rachel… why would you do this?"

Those were the three words everyone asked Rachel Montgomery after learning the truth.

Why?

Hadn't she already received so much more than Megan ever had?

Rachel remained silent for a moment.

Then she looked at Mrs. Montgomery, Mr. Montgomery, and Emily.

A bitter smile twisted her lips. "What does it matter that you raised and loved me for over a decade? She's the one who shares your blood."

For all these years, it was the concept of blood ties that had trapped her.

Some things were simply innate—impossible to overcome.

"You fool," Mrs. Montgomery choked out, pounding her chest. "And we were the biggest fools of all!"

"We were wrong… all of us."

At this point, Mrs. Montgomery's heart had turned to stone.

She turned to Ethan Sterling. "What about her? Have you sent anyone to look for her?"

Her fists clenched against her chest, agony and regret tearing through her.

Mr. Montgomery and Emily looked equally haggard.

Clearly, none of them had slept.

"That's my daughter. My real daughter. And I drove her away. How disappointed must she be in me? How much must she hate me? When she was born, I cherished her. When she went missing, I wanted to die."

"How could I have treated her like this? I'm a monster. I don't deserve to be called her mother."

Mrs. Montgomery broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

Mr. Montgomery steadied her but said nothing.

After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Ethan, Emily and I have mobilized all of Montgomery Group's resources to search for Megan. I know you're just as anxious—that you're looking for her too. But I'm begging you… if you find any leads, please let us know."

He started to bow, but Ethan stopped him.

"Sir, finding Megan is my duty."

"Good… good. Please, if there's any news, inform the Montgomerys immediately. We owe her. Whether she accepts it or forgives us… we have to make it right."

Mrs. Montgomery murmured the words like a prayer.

From beginning to end, neither Mr. nor Mrs. Montgomery spared Rachel another glance.

"Ethan," Emily said, supporting her nearly collapsing mother, her eyes still red-rimmed. "The Montgomery family believes those who do wrong must face consequences."

"Rachel brought this upon herself. Let the law handle her."

At that, Rachel finally snapped.

She screamed.

"No! Mom! Dad! Emily! How can you do this to me?"

"My last name is Montgomery! I'm family! Don't you love me after all these years?"

"How could you?"

"Ethan—please! I'll apologize to Megan! I'll kneel, I'll grovel, I'll do anything!"

Rachel's dignity had shattered.

She dropped to her knees, grasping for Ethan's pant leg—but he stepped back coldly.

Desperate, she reached for Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, but they recoiled as well.

Even the softest-hearted Mrs. Montgomery didn't waver this time.

She stared at the "daughter" she had adored for over two decades, her disappointment absolute.

"Rachel, begging won't help you now. Heaven sees all."

"You've lived Megan's life long enough. It's time to give it back."

"None of us will enable you any longer. You will pay for what you've done."