Chapter 5 - The Dead ManVictor finally told us everything.
Daniel had discovered that Julian's father was secretly planning to sell part of the organization to a rival syndicate.
Daniel refused to help.
He threatened to expose him.
So Julian's father staged Daniel's death.
But Daniel survived.
He took Lily.
Not to harm her.
To protect her.
Victor had helped him.
Grace had hidden them.
For six months, Lily lived with Grace's family.
Then someone found them.
Daniel sent Lily away again.
He disappeared.
And Grace was told never to speak about it.
“What happened to Lily?”
I asked.
Victor looked at me.
“She was sent to a woman in Maine.”
“Who?”
“Someone your mother trusted.”
“My mother?”
“She was alive then.”
I stared.
My mother had died when I was twelve.
At least, that's what I had been told.
Victor reached into his coat.
He removed an old photograph.
My mother.
Standing beside Lily.
Alive.
The photograph was dated five years ago.
I couldn't breathe.
“My mother is alive.”
Victor nodded.
“She has been hiding.”
“Why?”
“To protect you.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Everyone keeps telling me they're protecting me.”
Victor looked ashamed.
“Because your father left enemies you don't know about.”
I turned toward the window.
“My daughter.”
“She is alive.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I spoke to her last year.”
I spun around.
“You what?”
Victor nodded.
“She lives under another name.”
“Where?”
He gave me an address.
Maine.
A small coastal town.
I left that night.
Grace came with me.
Amara stayed with Marcus.
The drive took seven hours.
At sunrise, we reached a quiet house overlooking the ocean.
A woman opened the door.
She looked older.
Tired.
But I recognized her.
My mother.
She stared at me.
“Julian.”
I couldn't move.
Then I said the only thing that mattered.
“Where is my daughter?”
May you like
My mother began crying.
“She'll be here soon.”
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