Chapter 6
Days passed. Quiet. Calm. Almost too calm.
Vincent doubled the security around the estate. Guards everywhere.
I stayed close to the house. Learned more about my father. About the mother I’d never known.
Her name was Elena. She’d been kind. Brave. She’d loved Vincent deeply. And she’d loved me, even in those short days we had together.
I spent hours looking at photos. Seeing my face beside hers. Seeing the resemblance.
It felt like finding a missing piece of myself.
One evening, Vincent called me into his study. He stood by the window, phone in hand. His expression was grim.
“We found him,” he said.
My heart skipped.
“Marcus?”
He nodded.
“He’s been watching the estate. Asking questions. He sent a message today.”
“What did it say?”
Vincent turned to me.
“He wants to meet you. Alone. Tomorrow night. At the old warehouse district by the docks.”
“Are you going?” I asked.
“I’m going. But not alone. And neither are you.”
“He asked for me,” I said. “He wants to see me.”
Vincent stepped closer.
“Emily, this man stole your life. He sold you. He destroyed our family. He does not get to demand anything from you.”
“I know,” I said. “But if I don’t go… he’ll just keep coming. He’ll keep haunting us. Maybe I should hear what he has to say.”
Vincent studied me.
“You’re brave. Like your mother. But I won’t let you go in danger.”
“Then let’s go together,” I said. “Properly prepared. Let’s end this.”
May you like
He was quiet for a long time. Then he nodded slowly.
“Tomorrow night. We go together. And we finish what he started twenty-three years ago.”
