Meanwhile, back at the Haynes house, Nicklaus had overheard the conversation between Jennie and Nicholas that morning.
He had heard enough to understand what they were beginning to suspect.
Elian might be their lost son.
The thought made Nicklaus furious.
If it was true, everything would change.
Elian would no longer be someone he could simply drive away. He would become part of the Haynes family, and Cherry's relationship with him would only become stronger.
Nicklaus clenched his fists.
"I can't let this truth come out."
He immediately pulled out his phone and called Cindy.
She was still staying at her father's house, so Nicklaus arranged to meet her somewhere private.
Later that afternoon, they met at a quiet café away from their families.
Cindy arrived first.
When Nicklaus walked in, she immediately noticed the serious expression on his face.
"What happened?"
Nicklaus sat across from her.
"I heard Mom talking to Dad this morning."
Cindy frowned.
"About what?"
"Elian."
Her expression changed.
"What about him?"
Nicklaus leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"They think Elian might be their missing son."
Cindy stared at him.
"What?"
"They believe Mrs. Anna is the woman who took their baby years ago."
Cindy's eyes widened.
"Are you serious?"
Nicklaus nodded.
"Mom thinks Elian could be that child."
Cindy leaned back, stunned.
"If that's true..."
"Exactly."
Nicklaus's voice hardened.
"Everything changes."
Cindy was silent.
Nicklaus continued.
"Elian would become part of this family. And Cherry would have even more reason to stay with him."
Cindy's expression darkened.
"We can't let that happen."
"I know."
Nicklaus looked directly at her.
"That's why I called you."
Cindy folded her arms.
"What do you want to do?"
Nicklaus leaned back, his mind already racing.
"We need to make sure the truth never comes out."
Cindy stared at him.
"And how are we supposed to do that?"
Nicklaus's expression remained cold.
"I don't know yet."
He paused.
"But we're going to find a way."
Cindy nodded slowly.
"Then we'd better be careful."
Neither of them noticed that their conversation had just placed a new danger between Elian and the truth about his family.
Cindy remained silent for a moment, her fingers tapping against the table.
Then an unsettling thought crossed her mind.
She slowly looked at Nicklaus.
"There's only one person who can confirm whether Elian is really their son."
Nicklaus immediately understood.
"Mrs. Anna."
Cindy nodded.
"If she tells them the truth, everything is over."
Nicklaus's expression darkened.
"So what are you suggesting?"
Cindy lowered her voice.
"The only way to keep the truth hidden..."
She paused.
"...is to get Mrs. Anna out of the picture."
Nicklaus stared at her.
"You mean—"
"I'm saying she can't be allowed to reveal the truth."
His expression became uneasy.
"Cindy, be careful what you're saying."
Cindy leaned back.
"You wanted Elian out of Cherry's life. I wanted Cherry out of Elian's. Now we have something much bigger to worry about."
She looked directly at him.
"If Mrs. Anna tells Nicholas and Jennie that Elian is their son, neither of us gets what we want."
Nicklaus clenched his jaw.
"And if she doesn't?"
"Then they can keep wondering forever."
Nicklaus looked away, troubled by the direction the conversation had taken.
Cindy noticed his hesitation.
"Think about it."
She stood from her chair.
"We don't have to decide anything today. But if we're going to protect our plans, Mrs. Anna is the biggest obstacle."
Nicklaus remained seated, staring at the table.
He knew Cindy was suggesting something dangerous.
And for the first time, he wondered how far she was actually willing to go to keep the truth buried.
That evening, Nicklaus returned home with Cindy's words still echoing in his mind.
Mrs. Anna is the biggest obstacle.
He entered his room and shut the door behind him.
For several minutes, he simply stood there, staring into nothing.
He knew what Cindy had suggested was wrong.
He knew an innocent woman could be hurt because of his fear.
But every time he thought about Elian discovering the truth, panic took over.
If Elian was really the son Nicholas and Jennie had lost, everything would change.
Nicklaus clenched his fists.
"No..."
He shook his head.
"I can't let that happen."
He began pacing around the room.
He needed to act before Nicholas and Jennie discovered enough to confirm the truth.
And he needed to act quickly.
His phone buzzed.
A message from Cindy appeared.
We can't wait too long.
Nicklaus stared at the message.
After a long pause, he typed a reply.
I know. I'll handle it.
He put his phone down.
His expression hardened.
He had made his decision.
Whatever happened next, he was determined to keep Mrs. Anna from revealing the truth.
But even as he tried to convince himself he was protecting everything he cared about, a small part of him knew he was crossing a line he might never be able to come back from.
That night, Elian stayed late at work to finish some important tasks.
Back at home, Mrs. Anna was alone.
She had just finished cleaning up when she heard a knock at the door.
Knock. Knock.
She glanced toward the clock.
"Elian?"
She smiled faintly.
"He must have forgotten his keys."
Without thinking much of it, she walked to the door and opened it.
The moment she did, someone struck her with a heavy object.
Mrs. Anna's eyes widened in shock.
She staggered backward, trying to steady herself.
Before she could call for help, everything around her began to blur.
Her body went limp, and she collapsed unconscious.
Nicklaus stood over her, breathing heavily.
Cindy immediately looked around nervously.
"Quick. We have to get her out of here before any of Elian's men arrive."
Nicklaus hesitated as he looked down at Anna.
For a brief moment, guilt crossed his face.
Then he forced himself to look away.
He carefully lifted her unconscious body and carried her outside.
Cindy followed closely behind.
They hurried away from the house and disappeared into the night.
Neither of them noticed the security camera positioned near the entrance.
And neither knew that Elian's late night at work was about to become the reason their plan might unravel.