Ashton and Hazel left the reception room. Dusk cast a dusty, golden glow over the street. The air seemed heavier than ever. Theodore, driving, glanced in the rearview mirror: the two children remained silent.

“We’ll find him eventually,” Hazel said, her voice soft but tense.

Ashton nodded wordlessly, staring out the window. He didn’t understand why such intense worry gripped his chest; ever since he’d met Luke’s gaze, something strange had connected him to this boy from another world.

The car drove slowly, the tires skidding on the smooth asphalt. Ashton leaned his head against his hand, watching the sidewalks… then suddenly, his eyes widened.

“It’s him!” he shouted, his voice trembling.

Hazel followed his gaze and felt her heart stop. At the far end of the street, under a flickering lamp, a ragged boy was rummaging through a trash can.

— Theodore! Stop the car!

The vehicle braked abruptly. Before the driver could even speak, Hazel opened the door and pulled Ashton behind her.

“But where are you going?!” cried Theodore helplessly.

Ashton ran over to the boy and put his hand on his shoulder.
“Luke…”

The boy turned around, scared. But when he recognized Ashton, a shy smile lit up his face.

— Ashton… murmura-t-il.

Hazel stood there, breathless. The two boys stood side by side, like two reflections in a mirror.

—My God… you look the same, she breathed.

Ashton smiled to reassure Luke.
“Don’t worry. This is Hazel, my friend. You can trust her.”

Luke nodded, still hesitant.

“Why did you run away yesterday?” Ashton asked.

“I don’t like adults,” Luke replied. “They always want to take me to homes… and I prefer the streets.”

Hazel felt a lump form in her throat. Ashton lowered his head.
“And… where do you live?”

— Here. On the street. The people who took me in have been dead for a long time. I’m alone.

These words hit Ashton like a thunderclap. He looked at the thin boy, his eyes full of fatigue and innocence, and felt a dull, inexplicable pain.

Hazel sat down next to them.
“Don’t you have any parents?”

Luke shook his head.
“I was found in a trash can when I was a baby. The people on the street raised me… until they disappeared.”

A heavy silence fell over them. Ashton finally reached out.
“You’re not alone anymore, Luke. We’ll help you.”

Hazel stood up, full of energy.
“Yes! You’re coming with us! We’ll find a solution!”

Luke gave a sad smile.
“You’re kind, but… you’re children. Adults will always decide.”

Hazel was about to answer when she noticed a dark stain under the boy’s torn shirt. She frowned and gently lifted the fabric.

“What are you doing?” Luke exclaimed.

Hazel stepped back, mouth agape.
“That mark… You have a birthmark in the exact same place as Ashton!”

Ashton lifted his own shirt. The same stain, identical. They both froze.

“It’s no coincidence,” Hazel murmured. “You’re twin brothers.”

Ashton felt the ground shift beneath his feet.
“My brother…?”

— No… impossible, Luke stammered. We just look alike…

At that moment, hurried footsteps echoed on the sidewalk. Theodore arrived, out of breath.

— Good heavens! You scared the hell out of me! What’s going on?

Hazel replied immediately,
“Nothing, just a friend we just met.”

But the driver stopped when he saw Luke. His face froze.
“Those two boys… they look like carbon copies.”

Ashton recounted everything: the meeting, the resemblance, the birthmark. Theodore was silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice,
“I know your mother well, Ashton. She’s a kind-hearted woman. If this boy is really your brother, only she can confirm it.”

Luke took a step back, wary.
“What if she turns me in to the police? Or a shelter?”

Theodore placed a caring hand on his shoulder.
“Trust me, little one. Madame Penelope would never do such a thing.”

Luke looked into her eyes, seeing a sincerity he hadn’t seen in a long time. He finally nodded.
“Okay. I’ll go.”

On the way back, the car glided under the dark trees. Hazel spoke to lighten the mood, but Ashton and Luke remained silent, lost in their own thoughts.

Ashton’s head was whirling with questions: What if it were true? What if my mother had two sons? Why didn’t she ever tell me about it?

Luke watched the city lights go by. For the first time in years, he felt something in his chest he’d almost forgotten: hope.

When they arrived in front of the Penelopes’ large house, night had fallen. The lit windows gave off a gentle, almost unreal warmth.

Hazel turned to Ashton.
“Go tell your mom first. Tell her you want to introduce her to a new friend. Then you bring her here.”

Ashton nodded and got out of the car, his heart pounding.

Inside, Penelope was crossing the living room when her son rushed over to hug her.
“My darling! You’re home late. Isn’t Hazel with you?”

— She’s outside with a friend. You have to come, Mom! You’ll be surprised!

Penelope smiled, amused, and let herself be led along. Michelle, her sister-in-law, followed them, intrigued.

Outside, Luke stood motionless by the car. When the manor door opened, his heart raced. Penelope appeared—elegant, sweet, luminous. But at the sight of the boy, his face froze.

She approached slowly, as if driven by an invisible force. The boy’s eyes… his features… everything about him reminded her of Ashton.

— No… it’s not possible, she whispered.

She knelt down, her hand trembling, and touched the boy’s cheek. Luke shuddered at the touch, then burst into tears. Penelope hugged him, tears in her eyes.

— I knew it… I knew you were alive…

Ashton watched the scene, overwhelmed. Hazel felt her own tears well up.

At that moment, Robert came out of the house. Seeing the boy, he stopped dead in his tracks. His face turned livid. Michelle, behind him, was speechless.

Penelope stood up slowly, her gaze burning.
“Robert… You swore to me there was only one child. What did you do?”

A chilling silence fell over the courtyard. Robert didn’t answer. Fear shone in his eyes.

Under the golden light of the porch, three identical faces faced each other: Ashton, Luke, and Penelope. Three souls separated by lies, finally reunited by destiny.

But behind them, Michelle pulled out her phone, her voice low, her gaze cold.
“Plan B. Launch it.”

The evening wind blew through the trees. And with it, the storm that would turn their lives upside down had barely begun…

Read more here:

https://dailyhotnew.com/thaison8386/part-4-mom-this-is-my-brother-the-little-boy-said-to-his-millionaire-mother-then/