Chapter 2 — The Woman Who Built Her Life on a Lie
Chapter 2 — The Woman Who Built Her Life on a Lie
Victoria—the elegant woman in blue—forced herself to smile.
"Alexander..."
she said softly.
"She's just a frightened child."
"You can't possibly believe this."
Alexander didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at Emma.
"Where did your mother get this crest?"
Emma reached into the tiny pocket of her dress.
She pulled out a worn envelope.
"It was for you."
Alexander slowly opened it.
Inside was a letter.
His sister's handwriting.
His hands shook before he even read the first line.
If you're reading this... I'm already gone.
His breathing stopped.
Father cast me out because I refused an arranged marriage.
He believed protecting the family's reputation mattered more than protecting me.
I raised my daughter alone.
If anything happens to me... find Emma.
Please don't let our family abandon her the way they abandoned me.
Alexander closed his eyes.
For years he had believed Lillian had simply run away.
Instead...
she had been abandoned.
The silence broke when Victoria suddenly shouted,
"That letter proves nothing!"
Everyone turned.
Her perfect mask was cracking.
"You have no idea where that child came from!"
Alexander folded the letter.
"I know exactly where she came from."
May you like
His eyes became ice.
"She came from the sister we all failed."
