Chapter 654

In the photo, a one-year-old girl hugged a stuffed toy. Her grin stretched so wide it nearly reached her ears. She looked bright, carefree, and radiant.

The image looked nothing like the cautious, restrained Clara of recent years. Yet she recognized the child almost at once.

The little girl was her. It was Clara before her adoptive parents took her in.

A chill crept down her spine as she replied.