LOGINThe underground tunnel fell into complete silence. Nick remained standing on the stone steps, staring at the young man above. The stranger looked almost exactly like him. They had the same dark hair, the same height, and even the same sharp eyes. The only difference was the cold smile resting on the stranger's face. Ariana slowly looked from one man to the other. "This... this can't be real."The stranger chuckled. "I get that reaction a lot."Nick's face remained hard. "Who are you?"The young man folded his arms. "My name is Adrian."Nick frowned. "I don't know anyone named Adrian.""You should."The smile on Adrian's face grew wider. "We share the same blood."Ariana felt Nick tense beside her. "He's lying."Adrian looked at her. "I wish I were."Ariana stepped closer to Nick. "Don't listen to him."Nick never took his eyes off Adrian. "I won't believe a single word unless someone proves it."Ariana's mother slowly walked forward until she stood beside Adrian. "It's true."Nick loo
Darkness swallowed the warehouse. Ariana could not see anything in front of her. The only thing she could hear was the frightened breathing of the people around her. Somewhere in the darkness, metal scraped against the floor, followed by the sound of footsteps moving between the old machines. Nick immediately reached for Ariana's hand. "I've got you."She held on tightly. "I'm here."His voice steadied her racing heart. Even though she could not see his face, knowing he was beside her made her feel stronger. Victor spoke from somewhere nearby. "Nobody move."Claire switched on the flashlight on her phone. A thin beam of light cut through the darkness, but it only reached a few feet ahead. "They've cut the main power."Daniel looked around carefully. "They're trying to confuse us."A loud laugh echoed through the speakers. Ariana's mother's voice filled the warehouse once again. "You've come farther than I expected."Nick looked toward the ceiling. "If you wanted us dead, you would hav
Ariana caught Nick before he collapsed. His body shook violently against hers. His skin felt hotter with every passing second, and his breathing became rough. The faint blue glow in his eyes grew brighter, making him look like a completely different person. "Nick!"He looked at her, but his eyes seemed unfocused. "Ariana...""I'm here."He grabbed her arm tightly. "It burns."Tears filled her eyes. "We'll help you."Victor rushed over and knelt beside Nick. "Claire, check his pulse."Claire immediately knelt beside them. She placed two fingers against Nick's neck, then looked at Victor with growing concern. "His heartbeat is too fast."Daniel picked up the syringe Marcus had dropped. "There are still a few drops left." Claire took it from him. "I need a minute."She quickly examined the clear liquid inside. Her expression slowly changed. "This isn't poison."Marcus laughed from where two of Victor's men were holding him. "I told you."Nick struggled to stay on his feet. "Then what di
The warehouse was so quiet that even the wind outside seemed to stop. Ariana stared at the older man standing before her. His words echoed inside her mind. "I'm your grandfather."She slowly shook her head. "No."The man smiled, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "Whether you believe it or not does not change the truth."Ariana looked at Victor. "Tell me he's lying."Victor remained silent for several long seconds. Finally, he lowered his head. "He isn't."Ariana felt her knees weaken. Nick quickly slipped an arm around her waist before she could fall. She leaned against him, trying to steady her breathing. "This can't be happening."Her grandfather watched her calmly. "I expected a better reaction."Nick glared at him. "You've lied to people your entire life. Don't expect anyone to welcome you."The older man chuckled. "You have your father's courage."Nick stepped forward. "Don't talk about my father.""I knew him very well.""You don't deserve to say his name."The man's smile fa
Every head slowly turned. The warehouse fell into complete silence. Ethan's small finger remained raised as he pointed behind Ariana. She felt her heart pound inside her chest. Very slowly, she turned around. Nick turned with her. Victor, Claire, Daniel, and Sofia all looked in the same direction. Standing a few steps behind them was a man none of them expected. Victor's face hardened. "Marcus."The middle-aged security officer looked shocked that everyone was staring at him. "What?"Sofia quickly pulled Ethan behind her. "Are you sure?"The little boy nodded without hesitation. "I remember him."Marcus raised both hands. "He's just a child."Ethan's voice became stronger. "He brought me food."Marcus let out a nervous laugh. "See? I kept him alive."The words left his mouth before he realized what he had admitted. The smile disappeared from his face. Everyone else stared at him. Nick narrowed his eyes. "You just confessed."Marcus cursed under his breath. "I didn't mean..."Victor to
The warehouse was silent. Nick stood frozen, unable to take his eyes off Isabella. Her last words echoed inside his mind. "Neither are you."Ariana slowly tightened her hold on his hand. She could feel him shaking. "Nick."He looked at her, but his eyes were distant. "My whole life..."His voice was barely above a whisper. "I don't even know who I am anymore."Ariana stepped closer and gently placed her free hand against his cheek. "You are still the same man."He swallowed hard. "Am I?""Yes.""No matter what they say?"She nodded without hesitation. "No matter what they say."For a brief moment, the fear in his eyes softened. Isabella watched them quietly. "You've always needed someone to remind you who you are."Nick looked at her. "Stop acting like you know me.""I know more about you than anyone.""No."His voice became firmer. "The people who raised me knew me.""They only raised you.""They loved me."She smiled faintly. "So did I."Nick laughed bitterly. "You call this love?"







