تسجيل الدخولLena couldn't move.The young woman standing behind Adrian looked almost exactly like her. The same eyes, the same delicate shape of her face, and the same unmistakable resemblance to the woman in the photographs.For several seconds, Lena wondered whether she was dreaming.Then the stranger smiled."Hello, little sister."Lena's fingers tightened around the silver pendant."Evelyn?"The woman nodded."That's right."Lena stared at her, struggling to understand what was happening.For years, she had believed she was alone. She had grown up with Daniel, knowing little about her mother's past and even less about the family she had supposedly lost.Now, in the space of a few minutes, she had discovered that her mother had another daughter.A daughter who was standing directly in front of her."How old are you?" Lena finally asked.Evelyn tilted her head."Twenty-four."Lena swallowed.That made Evelyn older than her by several years."Why didn't I know about you?"The smile disappeared f
The letter began with four words.My dearest Lena, forgive me.Lena stared at the handwriting, her fingers trembling slightly around the edges of the old paper.She had imagined this moment countless times. She had imagined finding a photograph, a diary, perhaps even a recording of her mother's voice. But she had never imagined finding a letter addressed directly to her.A letter that had apparently been waiting for her for years."Are you going to open it?" Xavier asked.Lena swallowed."I don't know."He stood beside her, his expression unusually gentle."Whatever is written inside, you don't have to face it alone."She looked at him.There was something comforting about hearing those words from someone who rarely offered comfort so openly."Promise me something.""Anything.""Don't hide anything from me again."Xavier held her gaze."I promise."Lena looked down at the letter and carefully unfolded it.The paper made a faint cracking sound. It was old, but the handwriting remained
"Brother."The voice came from somewhere beyond the trees.Xavier froze.For a moment, he didn't move, didn't speak, and barely seemed to breathe.Lena looked at him."Xavier?"He raised one hand, silently warning everyone to remain still.The voice came again."Is that how you welcome your younger brother?"A figure emerged from the forest.He was tall, with dark hair, sharp features, and eyes that carried an unmistakable resemblance to Xavier's. His black jacket was covered in dust, and a small scar ran across his right eyebrow.Xavier stared at him."Elias."The young man smiled faintly."Hello, brother."Daniel took a step backwards."Impossible."Elias glanced at him."Daniel Voss. Still looking surprised whenever the truth appears in front of you?"Xavier finally moved.He crossed the distance between them and grabbed Elias by the shoulders."Where the hell have you been?"Elias looked down at his hands before meeting his brother's eyes."That's your first question?""I've searc
The journey beyond the northern territory was silent.Lena sat beside Xavier in the back seat of the black SUV, watching the unfamiliar landscape pass through the window. The farther they travelled, the colder the air became. Tall trees surrounded the narrow road, their branches twisting together overhead like fingers reaching for the sky.Daniel sat in the passenger seat, studying an old map on his phone."We should reach the abandoned settlement in less than an hour," he announced.Xavier didn't respond.His attention remained fixed on Lena.She had barely spoken since they left the northern territory. Her fingers rested against the silver pendant around her neck, and every few minutes, her expression changed as though she were listening to something nobody else could hear."You're doing it again," Xavier said quietly.Lena looked at him. "Doing what?""Touching that pendant whenever you're nervous.""I'm not nervous.""Then what are you?"She hesitated."Something feels wrong."Xav
Xavier read the message again.Then he slipped his phone into his pocket."You're staying here."Lena folded her arms. "Excuse me?""You heard me.""I'm not one of your soldiers, Xavier.""No. You're the person someone has just threatened to take from me."His words caught her off guard.For a moment, neither spoke.Then Lena shook her head."You cannot keep making decisions about my life without asking me."Xavier moved closer."And you cannot keep walking into danger because you think you have something to prove.""I have something to find out. My mother disappeared, Xavier. Your daughter is somewhere out there, and apparently, our families have been connected for years. I'm not sitting in this house pretending none of it concerns me."He studied her face.He knew that expression.Lena had already made up her mind.Before he could respond, Daniel returned carrying a small folder."I found something."Xavier turned."What?"Daniel placed the folder on the table."That photograph. I r
"You had a daughter before you..."The words hung in the air.Xavier Volkov stood completely still.For a moment, he looked as though he hadn't understood what he'd just heard. His dark eyes remained fixed on the woman standing before him, searching her face for some indication that she was joking.But she wasn't."What did you just say?" His voice was dangerously quiet.Lena swallowed."I said you had a daughter before you."Xavier's jaw tightened."That's impossible.""Is it?""Don't play games with me, Lena.""I'm not playing games!" Lena's voice cracked. "You keep demanding answers from everyone, but have you ever considered that someone might have been keeping the truth from you?"Xavier took a step towards her."Who told you this?"Lena hesitated.That hesitation was enough to make his expression change."Who, Lena?""Isabella."His mother's name struck him harder than any physical blow could have.Xavier slowly turned away, dragging a hand across his face."My mother?"Lena nod







