The Man Who Never Looked Away novel Chapter 350

On her neck sat the exact same butterfly-shaped birthmark.

Lavinia's heart seized.

She held the black-and-white photo up next to the color one. The longer she compared them, the faster her heart raced.

The exact same spot. The exact same shape. She looked up at Judith, terrified. "Is this... a coincidence?"

Judith shook her head, tears spilling down her wrinkled cheeks. "We were fleeing. My husband took our daughter on a boat from Blossom City to Marina Island. The ship sank. My husband died, and Lia's body was never found. I thought she was gone forever. But she didn't die. A kind family pulled her from the water."

Lavinia's heart was hammering against her ribs. She stared at Judith in absolute shock. She had never felt such overwhelming panic in her entire life.

Judith gently covered Lavinia's hand with her own. "Don't be afraid, my sweet girl. I was terrified I'd made a mistake, so I didn't say anything to you. But two weeks ago, I had someone take a strand of your hair for a DNA test."

She pulled a manila envelope from beside her and placed it in front of Lavinia. "This is the lab report."

Lavinia's fingers were trembling as she took the envelope. She pulled out the document, her eyes skimming the dense blocks of medical jargon before landing directly on the conclusion.

Judith's voice broke. "Your mother was my biological daughter. Lavinia, you are my real granddaughter."

Lavinia's mind went completely blank. She raised her head, staring blankly at the older woman.

"Please, don't be scared." Judith squeezed her hands tightly. "I just wanted you to know. You still have family in this world."

Looking at the white-haired woman sitting before her, Lavinia suddenly remembered their very first meeting in the hospital. Judith had held her hand just like this, saying, *"I felt a connection the moment I saw you."*

Her lips parted. She managed a choked whisper of her name, but couldn't force another word out.

Judith reached out with both arms, tears streaming down her face. "Can I hug you?"

Lavinia leaned forward, resting her head against the frail, bony shoulder. Judith held her tight, her ancient, weathered hand gently stroking the back of Lavinia's head, over and over.

"Thank God," Judith sobbed. "To be able to hold my own granddaughter before I go into the ground... Heaven has been kind to me."

Lavinia's nose burned violently.

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