Chapter 35: The Woman in the Shadows

The broken window let in a harsh blast of cold night air. Lena staggered back, gripping the edge of the wall as shards of glass crackled beneath her feet. Alexander stood at the shattered frame, chest rising and falling like he was holding back a scream.

Mrs. Ward pulled the curtains closed, sealing off the view of the darkness outside.

“Alexander,” she said sharply, “he escaped. There’s no catching him in the forest right now.”

Alexander didn’t move.

His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had gone completely white. His jaw trembled with barely controlled rage.

“Victoria…” he whispered.

Lena’s heart dropped at the sound of that name.

Mrs. Ward motioned for Lena to sit, but Lena couldn’t feel her legs. She leaned against the desk instead, her entire body shaking.

Lena’s voice cracked. “Alex… is it true? Did Victoria know my mother?”

Alexander turned slowly from the window, his face pale and stricken.

“Yes,” he said. “But not the way Dylan made it sound.”

Lena’s chest tightened painfully. “Then tell me. Please. I can’t take any more half-truths.”

He ran a hand through his hair, pacing once before facing her fully.

“Victoria Hale was part of the Split Circle too,” he said. “Not officially—not in their inner ring. But she grew up around it. Her father was one of the founders. She was raised in that world.”

Lena blinked, stunned. “Victoria… part of the same world my mother fled from?”

Mrs. Ward nodded. “That woman is far more dangerous than she pretends.”

Alexander stepped closer to Lena, eyes fierce but full of regret. “Your mother… she didn’t trust easily. But she trusted Victoria once. They knew each other when they were both much younger. They worked together briefly when your mother tried to expose the Circle.”

The words hit Lena like a blow.

“My mother tried to expose them?” she whispered.

Alexander nodded. “She had evidence. Something big. Something that could destroy the Circle and everyone in it—including my father.”

Lena swayed. Mrs. Ward rushed to steady her.

Alexander’s voice softened. “Your mother wasn’t running from the Circle. She was fighting them. And when she realized the danger she was in—when she realized they would come for her—she disappeared.”

Lena’s throat tightened painfully. “Then how did she…?”

Mrs. Ward placed a trembling hand over Lena’s.

“She didn’t disappear willingly, child. Someone found her.”

Lena felt her heart break all over again.

Tears pooled in her eyes, blurring the room.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me? Why did I grow up thinking she died in an accident?”

Alexander lowered his gaze. “Because telling you the truth would’ve put you in danger sooner. And because your mother asked for you to be protected from the Circle at all costs.”

Lena shook her head. “But Victoria? Where does she fit into this?”

Mrs. Ward’s expression hardened. “Victoria was the last person to see your mother alive. She gave her a warning… or so she claimed.”

Alexander clenched his jaw. “But after that, your mother vanished.”

Lena felt the blood drain from her face. “Dylan said Victoria caused her death.”

Alexander stepped forward quickly. “No. Dylan twists everything. He was trying to tear you away from me.”

“But was he lying?” Lena pressed, voice breaking. “Alex… was he lying?”

Silence.

Alexander closed the distance between them, gently cupping her face.

“I swear to you,” he whispered, “I did not hurt your mother. And I do not believe Victoria killed her.” His voice darkened. “But I do believe Victoria led the Circle to her—whether she meant to or not.”

Lena gasped softly.

Mrs. Ward nodded. “Victoria was groomed by her father to serve the Circle. Whether she realized what they’d do… we don’t know.”

Alexander added, “But Victoria has always been obsessed with control. And she hates that I didn’t choose her. Hates that I don’t rely on her anymore. When she saw you… she saw a threat.”

Lena pressed a hand to her mouth. “So she’s part of this. She’s been watching me. Manipulating everything.”

Alexander reached for her hand. “And she will not touch you again. I won’t let her.”

But before Lena could breathe, a shrill alarm suddenly blared through the house.

Mrs. Ward’s eyes widened. “Perimeter breach! Someone’s entered the east side!”

Lena’s heart seized. “Another intruder?!”

Alexander grabbed his weapon again, muscles coiled. “It’s not Dylan.”

Mrs. Ward rushed to the monitors and gasped.

“Oh God…”

Lena ran to her side.

On the screen, illuminated by the infrared cameras, a woman walked calmly across the lawn, heels sinking into the grass, hair pulled back in a perfect sleek bun.

A familiar, striking silhouette.

Lips painted red.

Expression cold.

Eyes scanning the house with unsettling calm.

Victoria.

Alexander swore under his breath.

Lena’s stomach twisted.

Mrs. Ward whispered, “She’s here.”

Alexander turned to Lena, voice sharp.

“Get to the panic room. Now.”

But before Lena could move—

Victoria stopped directly in front of the camera.

She smiled.

Then she lifted her hand and showed it to the lens.

A necklace dangled from her fingers.

Lena’s necklace.

Her mother’s necklace.

Alexander’s rage erupted like lightning.

Victoria whispered something to the camera—her lips moving slow and deliberate.

Lena leaned closer to read them.

Four chilling words:

“Come out, little girl.”