My parents raised me as a maid for 27 years and they didn't even invite me to my brother's wedding: "Get on black and help the staff," my mother ordered. I silently obeyed, until the bride's father saw my face, dropped his glass and asked me a question that terrified my entire family.

I carefully opened the brittle envelope with a silver letter opener.

The paper inside was incredibly old, covered in elegant, looping handwriting.

I sat down in my plush leather chair and began to read the letter.

It detailed how much Alexander loved his sister and how he would protect her legacy forever.

Tears of absolute joy streamed down my face as I realized how deeply I was wanted.

The darkness of the Sterling family was permanently erased by the bright light of my new life.

I walked over to the massive floor-to-ceiling windows and looked out over the beautiful city skyline.

I had everything I could ever possibly dream of right at my fingertips.

My horrific past as an abused maid was nothing more than a bad memory fading into the distance.

I was completely ready to take on the world alongside my amazing new family.

The story of the stolen heir had reached a perfectly happy and triumphant conclusion.

But as I placed the letter back into the envelope, a second, smaller piece of paper fluttered to the floor.

I reached down and picked it up, noticing the ink looked completely fresh and modern.

The letter was dated just three weeks ago, long after my mother was supposedly declared dead.

When my newborn 'passed away,' my mother-in-law leaned in and said

My Husband Left Me Alone in My Car While I Was in Labor

“You’re Dead When We Get Home,” He Snapped

My blood ran absolutely cold as I read the single, terrifying sentence scrawled across the page.

"They think I am dead, Mariana, but I am finally coming back to collect you."

Chapter 10 - The Golden Dawn