Chapter 5 - My Mother's SecretI couldn't sleep.

Neither could Marco.

At dawn, we tracked the photograph to an old property outside Philadelphia.

The house belonged to my mother.

Or had belonged to her.

The records showed it had been sold eight years ago.

To a company owned by Victor.

We drove there.

Elena came with us.

Mia stayed under protection at the estate.

The house was abandoned.

Dust covered everything.

But the nursery was untouched.

A small wooden crib stood beneath the window.

On the wall were children's drawings.

One had a name written in purple crayon.

Mia.

Elena covered her mouth.

“She was here.”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“After your mother supposedly died.”

Elena stared at me.

“Then she knew.”

“Knew what?”

“That Daniel survived.”

We searched the house.

Behind a loose floorboard, we found a journal.

My mother's handwriting.

I read every page.

She had discovered The Circle before my father did.

She had tried to expose them.

When she learned Daniel wanted to use Mia as leverage, she disappeared.

She had staged her death.

She had taken Mia away.

But three years ago, she had become sick.

Before she died, she gave Elena the information needed to protect Mia.

Then she gave Elena one final instruction.

If Daniel returns, find Adrian.

I closed the journal.

My mother had spent years protecting a child who wasn't even supposed to exist publicly.

My child.

The realization was overwhelming.

I had spent years believing I had lost my family.

The truth was that my family had been fighting to survive without me.

Then we found the final page.

It contained one sentence.

Victor knows where I am.

Elena looked at me.

“Where?”

I shook my head.

“I don't know.”

Then Marco found something under the floor.

A hidden phone.

It contained only one number.

I called it.

A woman answered.

“Adrian.”

I froze.

My mother's voice.

Impossible.

I nearly dropped the phone.

“Mom?”

Silence.

Then:

“You shouldn't have found the house.”

“Where are you?”

“Safe.”

“Are you alive?”

“Yes.”

My knees almost gave out.

“Why?”

“Because if Victor knew I was alive, he'd kill you.”

“You let me believe you were dead.”

“I was protecting you.”

“You let me mourn you.”

“I know.”

My voice broke.

“You left me alone.”

“I know.”

There was silence.

Then she whispered:

“I am sorry.”

I closed my eyes.

“Where are you?”

“I can't tell you.”

“Why?”

“Because Victor is listening.”

The call ended.

I stared at the phone.

Marco looked at me.

“Boss.”

“She said Victor is listening.”

Then the phone screen lit up.

A message.

You should have left the past buried.

Another message arrived.

Now I have your daughter.

I called the estate.

No answer.

I called security.

Nothing.

Then I heard a small voice behind me.

“Daddy?”

I turned.

Mia wasn't there.

I had left her under guard.

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Someone had taken her again.

And this time, they had taken her from the safest place I owned.