Chapter 7 - Belle Remembered Her Mother Hiding a Letter Years Ago—And It Revealed That Harlan's Father Had Been Watching Me Since I Was a ChildBelle's mother had left a hidden letter.
Belle remembered a drawer.
A blue ribbon.
A photograph.
We found it.
The letter was addressed to me.
I didn't know Elena personally.
But she knew me.
She had met my mother.
She had warned her about Victor.
Then she wrote:
If you ever meet Harlan's daughter or son, protect them from the family. They are not safe.
My name appeared.
She had known me before I knew them.
My mother and Elena had been friends.
They had both tried to escape Victor.
They had both failed.
My mother died.
Elena disappeared.
And their children inherited the war.
The letter continued:
Rue, your mother believed you were safer outside the family. That is why you were never told.
I stared at the page.
My mother had hidden my identity.
Maybe my father had too.
Maybe the poverty wasn't random.
Maybe they had kept me away from the Voss world.
But Victor had found me anyway.
Then Belle said:
"The blue room."
We opened another hidden door.
Inside was a photograph of my mother with Victor.
I felt sick.
Harlan stared.
"She knew him."
"Yes."
"Then why didn't she tell you?"
"To protect me."
He touched my hand.
"I know what that feels like."
I looked at him.
He had spent his life protecting Belle by keeping secrets.
I had spent mine surviving because of secrets.
Maybe we understood each other more than either of us wanted to admit.
Then Victor called.
"Bring Rue."
Harlan answered.
"No."
Victor laughed.
"Then Belle dies."
Harlan's expression became murderous.
"Touch my daughter and I'll tear your empire apart."
Victor replied:
"That's why I need Rue."
The call ended.
We had one night to prepare.
May you like
The next morning, we went to Victor's old warehouse.
The final confrontation began.
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