THE LOST HEIRESS

Months passed.

Ayla—now known only as Nova—was no longer a wounded stranger hidden behind bandages. She walked with poise, her new face striking and unfamiliar even to herself. The ache of the past lingered in strange dreams and faint echoes, but her memory remained a blank canvas.

She had learned how to move again. How to dress like wealth. How to answer to a name that was never truly hers.

But everything changed the day Rhea walked into the room, holding a tabloid article in shaking hands.

"Nova…" Rhea said softly, "I think I know who you are."

Nova's heart skipped. "You do?"

Rhea handed her the paper.

The headline screamed:

"Billionaire CEO's Daughter Still Missing After Ten Years – $10 Million Reward for Her Safe Return!"

Beneath it was a photo. Blurry. Faded. But unmistakable.

The girl looked exactly like Nova's new face.

"She's you," Rhea whispered. "Her name is Celeste Moreau. You disappeared when you were twelve during a yacht crash. This face… it's not just surgery. It's destiny."

Nova stared at the image, stunned.

Her fingers traced the girl's features—her features.

"But I don't remember that life," she whispered. "I don't remember anything."

"Because trauma can erase everything," Rhea replied quickly, her eyes sharp. "But this? This is who you were meant to be. The Moreaus are still searching for you. They're powerful… wealthy beyond imagination. And they're looking for you, Celeste."

Nova—no, Celeste—felt her breath catch.

Was it a lie? A twisted game?

Or was this the truth?

"I'll help you prepare," Rhea said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll get you ready to meet your family again. You just have to trust me."

And Nova nodded… because she had nothing else to believe.