Chapter 10 - The Mother Claire Buried Was Waiting for Her DaughterI spent eleven years believing my mother was dead.
Now I had proof she wasn't.
Her name was Evelyn Bennett.
She had vanished after a supposed car accident.
The police found a burned vehicle.
A body was never recovered.
But the state declared her dead.
I was fourteen when it happened.
Now she was alive.
Somewhere in Chicago.
Sebastian wanted to send an army.
I refused.
“This is my mother.”
“That's exactly why you're not going alone.”
“You're coming?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't trust anyone.”
“Even her?”
“Especially her.”
We went to the courthouse.
Marcus Vale was waiting.
He looked older.
He smiled at Sebastian.
“Your father would be proud.”
Sebastian raised his weapon.
Marcus laughed.
“Still emotional.”
“Where is my mother?”
Marcus looked at me.
“She is waiting for you.”
We entered the building.
Evelyn Bennett stood in a conference room.
I knew her immediately.
Not because of her face.
Because of her eyes.
She looked at me.
“Claire.”
My knees nearly collapsed.
“Mom?”
She stepped forward.
I slapped her.
The room went silent.
“You're alive.”
“Yes.”
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I had no choice.”
“You always have a choice.”
She nodded.
“I know.”
“I cried for you.”
“I know.”
“I hated you.”
“I know.”
“Oliver has been sick for years.”
Her face broke.
“I know.”
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“Then why?”
“Because I couldn't come back until the program was destroyed.”
I shook.
“You could have told me.”
“They were watching you.”
“Who?”
“Everyone.”
She looked at Sebastian.
“Especially the Lombardis.”
Sebastian's face hardened.
“My father?”
“Not your father.”
She pointed to Marcus.
“Him.”
Marcus remained silent.
“Marcus stole the research.”
“Yes.”
“He ordered the bombing.”
“Yes.”
“He created the entire conspiracy.”
“Yes.”
I stared.
“Then why did you work with him?”
“I didn't.”
She looked at me.
“I infiltrated his network.”
“For twenty years?”
“Yes.”
“What about Victor?”
“He was never the mastermind.”
“Then who?”
She looked at Sebastian.
“Your uncle.”
“Which one?”
“Matteo.”
Sebastian froze.
“My father's brother?”
“Yes.”
“But he died fifteen years ago.”
“No.”
My mother placed a file on the table.
Matteo Lombardi was alive.
Living in Canada under a false identity.
He had financed every stage of the research.
He had used Victor.
He had manipulated Marcus.
He had arranged Sebastian's father's death.
And he had targeted Oliver because Oliver represented the genetic key to the treatment.
Sebastian's hands tightened.
“Why did you wait?”
My mother answered:
“Because Matteo believed he could control you.”
“And now?”
“He knows he can't.”
Sebastian looked at me.
Then at Oliver's photograph.
My mother continued.
“Matteo is coming for your son.”
I felt my stomach drop.
“Where?”
“He knows where you live.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“He knows everything.”
We rushed back to the safe house.
The security system had been breached.
Oliver was gone.
Again.
But this time, there was no note.
Only one thing.
Oliver's inhaler.
Broken.
I couldn't breathe.
Sebastian looked at me.
“We will find him.”
“This can't keep happening.”
“It won't.”
“You promise?”
He stared into my eyes.
“I promise.”
Then he turned to Gabriel.
“Find Matteo.”
Gabriel nodded.
My mother stopped him.
“You won't find him.”
“Why?”
“He wants Sebastian to come.”
“Then let him.”
She looked at me.
“No.”
I understood.
“He wants me.”
My mother nodded.
“Because you are the only person who can make Sebastian human again.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
May you like
She whispered:
“That is why he fears you.”
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