Having baby Dalton around was becoming a challenge for Madelyn. While Zach could easily tune him out, Madelyn felt a strong pull toward the child. She took Dalton for a stroll in the backyard, patting his back and hoping he would drift off to sleep. After their walk, she settled him on the couch. As she did, Dalton nestled against her, gazing up at her. Yet, the moment she met his gaze, he playfully pretended to be asleep.

Madelyn gazed into the distance, lost in thought. 'What mysteries lay within the torn pages of Mom's diary, and what stories did those stained sections hold? When she was around sixteen or seventeen, Mom was with Erick. If I'm their child, then why does Kai hold so much resentment toward me? Perhaps he thinks I'm Hayson's daughter. But he read the diary; he knows its contents. What's he hiding from me?'

At Portsmouth Fishing Village, in a small, smelly room, Kai stood under a flickering bulb, eyes locked on a woman on the bed who seemed really sick.

"Who are Madel