25 Chapter 25 – A Mother’s Familiar Face
The solution wasn’t just challenging; it was fascinating. I’d been working on this exact technical problem in my own lab for weeks, approaching it from different angles than the Ricardo R&D team. Their method was clever but fundamentally flawed.
I scribbled equations rapidly, feeling the familiar rush of solving a complex puzzle. The team watched me work in stunned silence, their skepticism gradually shifting to curiosity.
“This approach won’t work,” I muttered, mostly to myself. “The energy transfer coefficient is off by at least twenty percent.”
Miles leaned over my shoulder. “We’ve tried adjusting for that. The material properties=”
“The material isn’t the problem,” I interrupted. “It’s the thermal interface.” I sketched a quick diagram. “See? The heat distribution is uneven.”
Mason blinked at my notes. “That’s… actually brilliant.”
“Simple physics,” I shrugged, continuing to work.
Two hours later, I pushed the completed solution across the desk. The simulation results spoke for themselves – a forty–five percent efficiency improvement.
Miles stared at the screen, then at me. “This is impossible.”
“Clearly not,” I replied, unable to keep a hint of satisfaction from my voice.
He ran a hand through his hair. “Who the hell are you, Juliana Johnson?”
If only you knew, I thought.
Mason checked his watch. “It’s already past six. Should we implement this on Monday?”
“That works for me,” I said, gathering my things.
Miles nodded reluctantly. “Fine. Monday, then.”
As they left, I checked my phone. Three missed calls from Nathaniel and a text from his
grandmother: “Please come to St. Mary’s Hospital. I’m not feeling well.”
My heart sank. The old woman had been kind to me, and despite my reservations about getting too close to the Ricardo family, I couldn’t ignore her request.
I texted Nathaniel: “On my way to the hospital now.”
His response came immediately: “I’ll pick you up.”
“Already called a cab,” I replied, heading toward the exit.
I felt a strange satisfaction knowing I’d thwarted whatever plan he might have had. This strange
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25 Chapter 25–A Mother’s Familiar Face
marriage might be unavoidable for now, but I’d maintain what independence I could.
The hospital corridor was eerily quiet as I made my way toward Old Mrs. Margaret’s room. A nurse directed me with a sympathetic smile that made my stomach knot with worry.
Before I reached her room, I paused at the sound of familiar voices. Turning the corner, I froze.
My mother – Evelyn Bella – stood near the nurses‘ station, her delicate frame supported by a cane. Beside her, Imogen chatted with an older woman I recognized as Aunt South, our former
nanny.
I instinctively stepped back, pressing myself against the wall. Old habits die hard. Years of being told to stay out of sight when in public with my “family” had conditioned me to make myself jinvisible.
“Mrs. Johnson really shouldn’t be out so late,” Aunt South was saying. “The doctor said to
minimize stress.”
My mother’s soft voice carried down the hallway. “I’m fine, South. A friend is in this hospital, and
I wanted to visit.”
Imogen placed a protective hand on my mother’s arm. “Mother, you’ve done enough. Let’s get you home to rest.”
The tenderness in her voice made my chest ache. I’d never been allowed to call Evelyn “mother” growing up. That privilege belonged to Imogen alone.
“Such a thoughtful daughter,” Aunt South said warmly. “Unlike some ungrateful children who
abandon their families.”
My fingers curled into fists. I knew exactly who she meant.
“Now, South,” my mother chided gently. “We’ve discussed this.”
“I’m just saying,” the old nanny continued, “after everything the Johnson family did for that girl, taking her in despite her… circumstances. And how does she repay you? By disappearing
without a word!”
Imogen’s smile was all false sympathy. “Mother has such a forgiving heart. Even after Juliana left,
she still worries about her.”
“If only we had a daughter like Dr. Emma Bella instead,” Aunt South sighed. “Now there’s a young woman who knows the meaning of gratitude. That patent she gave you saved the company,
didn’t it?”
I almost laughed at the irony. They were praising my secret identity while condemning me to my face.
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“Dr. Bella is… special,” my mother said softly. “But let’s not speak ill of Juliana.”
“I still don’t understand why you defend her,” Imogen said, her voice laced with practiced concern. “After everything she’s done.”
Everything I’ve done? I bit my lip to keep from speaking. What exactly had I done except endure years of their cruelty?
“We should go, Mrs. Johnson,” Aunt South urged. “You need your rest.”
–
I watched as they helped my mother toward the elevator, their backs to me. For a moment, I allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to run after them, to tell them the truth – that Dr. Emma Bella and Juliana Johnson were one and the same. That the illegitimate daughter they’d scorned had saved their family company.
But what would be the point? My mother had never shown me the same affection she lavished on Imogen. Whatever small kindnesses she’d extended to me over the years were born of pity, not love.
As the elevator doors closed behind them, I remained rooted to the spot, an all–too–familiar hollowness spreading through my chest.
“They don’t deserve your tears,” a voice said behind me.
I whirled around to find Nathaniel standing there, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable as always.
I quickly wiped at my eyes, embarrassed to realize they were wet. “I’m not crying.”
“Of course not.” He didn’t call out my obvious lie. Instead, he nodded toward the retreating figures. “The Johnson family?”
“Yes.” I took a steadying breath. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be with your grandmother.”
“I was heading back from getting coffee.” He lifted a paper cup as evidence. “She’s been asking for you.”
I nodded, grateful for the change of subject. “Lead the way.”
As we walked, I felt his eyes on me. “You know them well.”
It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyway. “They raised me.”
“Not very well, it seems.”
The unexpected comment surprised a laugh out of me. “That’s one way to put it.”
He didn’t press for details, which I appreciated. We continued in silence until we reached his grandmother’s room.
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25 Chapter 25–A Mother’s Familiar Face
Old Mrs. Margaret was sitting up in bed, looking far too alert for someone supposedly having a health relapse. Her face brightened when she saw me.
“Juliana, dear! You came!”
“Of course I did,” I said, taking the hand she extended. “How are you feeling?”
“Much better now that you’re both here.” She patted the bed beside her. “Sit, sit.”
Nathaniel crossed his arms. “Grandmother, you said you were having chest pains.”
The old woman waved dismissively. “Just a little twinge. Nothing to worry about.”
I glanced between them, suddenly understanding. “You’re not really sick, are you?”
Her innocent expression didn’t fool me for a second. “The doctor says I need my family around me. It’s good for my heart.”
Nathaniel sighed. “We had a deal. No more manipulation.”
“It’s not manipulation if it’s doctor’s orders,” she countered sweetly.
I couldn’t help but smile at her audacity. The woman was crafty, I’d give her that.
“And now that you’re both here,” she continued, “you can take me home and stay for dinner.”
Nathaniel’s jaw tightened. “I have work.”
“On a Friday night? Nonsense.” She turned pleading eyes to me. “Juliana, tell him he works too
much.”
I raised my hands in surrender. “I’m staying out of this one.”
The old woman huffed. “Fine. At least promise you’ll both come for Sunday lunch.”
Before either of us could respond, she suddenly stiffened, her gaze fixed on something behind us. I turned to see what had caught her attention.
Through the partially open door, we could see my mother, Evelyn, waiting for the elevator down the hall.
Old Mrs. Margaret gripped my wrist with surprising strength. “That woman…” she whispered. “I
know her.”
Nathaniel frowned. “Who?”
“Evelyn Bella,” his grandmother murmured. “From the old days in Clance.”
I froze. How did she know my mother’s maiden name?
The elevator doors opened, and Evelyn disappeared inside. Old Mrs. Margaret’s eyes remained fixed on the spot where she’d been standing, then slowly shifted to my face.
25 Chapter 25 – A Mother’s Familiar Face
Her eyes widened as she studied me, really studied me, for the first time. She looked from me to the empty hallway and back again.
“The eyes,” she whispered. “The same unique eyes. And that mole… right at the corner.”
A chill ran down my spine. What was she seeing?
“Grandmother?” Nathaniel’s voice held a note of concern.
Old Mrs. Margaret’s expression transformed as something seemed to click into place. Her grip on my wrist tightened further as her eyes lit up with sudden recognition.
“I remember!” she exclaimed, her voice ringing with certainty. “She’s your mother!”
Terrible
