Desperation gripped him. Had he lost her again, just as he had lost her so many years ago? His thoughts were interrupted by the buzzing of his phone. It was his investigator. The words on the other end were a punch to his gut, confirming what he had feared: the woman was indeed Margaret Whitmore, his mother.

The realization hit Daniel like a tidal wave, crashing over him with the weight of years of longing, anger, and unspoken love. He had found her, only to cast her aside in his ignorance and pride.