Chapter 1 - The Voice From the DeadRain hammered against the windshield.
Eleonora could barely breathe.
The voice coming through Julian's phone belonged to a man she had spent thirty years believing was dead.
Her father.
The man from the photograph.
The man whose face had haunted the oldest memories of her childhood.
“Eleonora,” he growled again. “Get out of the car.”
Lily buried her face against Eleonora's chest.
“Don't let him take me.”
Eleonora wrapped both arms around the child.
“No one is taking you.”
Julian smiled.
“You still don't understand the situation.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“No.”
He tapped the window with his umbrella.
“You understand that I'm your husband.”
Eleonora stared at him.
“I understand that you're a murderer.”
For the first time, Julian's expression hardened.
Marcus whispered, “Ma'am, when I tell you to move, move.”
Eleonora looked at him.
He subtly pointed toward the river.
She understood.
The sedan was positioned beside an old pier.
Below them was a maintenance ramp leading into the water.
It was their only escape.
Julian straightened.
“You have ten seconds.”
Eleonora looked at Lily.
Then at Marcus.
Then at the armed men.
She made her decision.
She threw open the rear door.
“Run!”
Marcus slammed the accelerator.
The sedan lurched forward.
Two armed men fired.
Bullets shattered the rear window.
Eleonora covered Lily with her body.
Marcus drove straight toward the river.
Julian shouted.
“STOP!”
The sedan hit the maintenance ramp.
For one horrifying second, Eleonora thought they were going into the water.
Then Marcus yanked the steering wheel.
The car crashed through a rusted gate and landed on a lower service road.
Behind them, Julian's men scrambled toward their vehicles.
Marcus kept driving.
The city disappeared behind them.
Twenty minutes later, they abandoned the sedan inside an underground freight tunnel.
Marcus opened the rear door.
“Out.”
Eleonora climbed out with Lily.
“Where are we?”
“Somewhere Julian won't immediately search.”
“Who was that man?”
Marcus looked at her.
“Your father.”
Eleonora's face went pale.
“He died.”
“No.”
Marcus shook his head.
“He was declared dead.”
“That's not the same thing.”
Eleonora stared at him.
“How long have you known?”
Marcus lowered his eyes.
“Three years.”
Her expression hardened.
“You knew my father was alive for three years?”
“I was ordered to keep quiet.”
“By Julian?”
Marcus nodded.
Eleonora's stomach twisted.
“How much of my life was a lie?”
Marcus didn't answer.
Lily stepped between them.
“Is my mommy alive?”
Marcus looked at her.
“Yes.”
Eleonora froze.
“What?”
“Your sister is alive.”
The world stopped.
Eleonora grabbed Marcus's arm.
“You heard Julian.”
“I heard him.”
“He said she was dead.”
“He lied.”
“Then where is she?”
Marcus looked toward the dark tunnel.
“We need to get somewhere safe first.”
“No.”
Eleonora's voice shook.
“You don't get to give me another half-truth.”
Marcus reached into his jacket.
He pulled out a small envelope.
“There is a recording inside.”
Eleonora opened it.
A woman's voice filled the darkness.
“Eleonora, if you're hearing this, then Julian knows.”
Eleonora's knees weakened.
It was her sister.
Her voice.
Older.
But unmistakable.
“I am sorry I couldn't come for you sooner.”
Eleonora covered her mouth.
“I was told you died.”
“I know.”
The recording continued.
“The fire was arranged.”
Eleonora closed her eyes.
“The Vances didn't save me.”
“They took me.”
Lily began crying.
The woman's voice softened.
“Lily is your niece.”
Eleonora held the girl tighter.
“She carries proof that the Vance family stole everything from us.”
The recording ended.
Silence returned.
Then Marcus said quietly:
“There is one more thing.”
Eleonora looked at him.
“Your sister didn't send Lily to the gala.”
“Then who did?”
Marcus's expression became grim.
“Julian.”
Eleonora stared at him.
“He used Lily as bait.”
“Yes.”
“And my sister?”
Marcus nodded.
“Julian has her.”
Eleonora closed her eyes.
For thirty years, she had believed she was the last surviving member of her family.
Now she knew the opposite.
Her family had been alive.
They had simply been imprisoned behind lies.
Eleonora looked at Lily.
“We're going to find your mother.”
Lily nodded through her tears.
“And when we do?”
May you like
Eleonora looked back toward the city.
“When we do, we're going to destroy everything Julian Vance built.”
Related Stories
