Chapter 37: The Woman at the Door

The doorknob rattled again.

Slow. Teasing.

Like a predator tapping its claws on the cage.

Alexander tightened his grip on Lena’s hand, pulling her slightly behind him. His entire body shifted — shoulders squared, stance wide, protective, ready to strike.

Mrs. Ward appeared behind them, breath trembling. “Alexander… whatever happens, don’t let her inside.”

Victoria’s voice slipped through the crack in the door, warm and mocking:

“Alexander… darling… open the door. We have unfinished business.”

Lena’s pulse pounded in her ears.

Alexander looked at her once — wordless, fierce — before he unlocked the door.

The handle turned.

The door opened.

And Victoria stepped in like she owned the house.

She wore a long black coat, heels clicking on the marble floor. Her hair was sleek, not a strand out of place. Her red lipstick was painted with surgical precision. And in her hand…

The necklace.

Lena’s mother’s necklace, swinging gently like a pendulum.

Victoria smiled the moment she saw Lena.

A slow, almost tender smile.

“There you are,” she whispered.

Lena felt her breath freeze in her lungs.

Alexander stepped in front of her instantly, blocking Victoria’s view. “You’re trespassing.”

Victoria’s gaze slid to him, amusement sparking in her eyes. “Please. As if that’s new between us.”

He didn’t flinch. “Why are you here?”

Victoria twirled the necklace between her fingers. “I came to return something… to its rightful owner.”

She held it up, letting it catch the light.

Lena felt her throat tighten. “Give it to me.”

Victoria ignored her.

Instead, she circled Alexander like a wolf stalking prey.

“You never told her the truth, did you?” she murmured. “About her mother. About what happened. About how deeply your family was involved.”

Alexander’s jaw flexed dangerously. “Don’t start.”

Victoria pouted slightly. “Oh Alex… you always want to control the narrative. Even when you have no right.”

Then, she looked directly at Lena.

“You look just like her,” Victoria whispered. “Same eyes. Same fire.”

A shiver ran through Lena.

Alexander snarled, “Don’t speak to her.”

Victoria raised an eyebrow. “Possessive, aren’t you? Just like your father.”

Mrs. Ward stepped forward. “Victoria, leave this house before things get worse.”

Victoria laughed — a soft, melodic sound that made the hairs on Lena’s arms stand up. “Worse? My dear, they already are.”

She walked toward the large window, peering out at the dark forest surrounding the estate.

“This place,” she said, “is a graveyard of secrets. Your father’s. Mine. Her mother’s.”

Lena swallowed hard. “My mother trusted you.”

Victoria turned back, her smile fading slightly.

“Your mother trusted many wrong people.”

Alexander stepped forward, fury boiling beneath his calm. “Cut the cryptic nonsense. Say what you came to say.”

Victoria’s gaze sharpened.

“Very well.”

She walked toward Lena.

Alexander blocked her path, grabbing Victoria’s wrist. “Don’t.”

Victoria’s eyes flicked down to his hand gripping her.

“Still so dramatic,” she murmured.

She pulled free slowly, and Alexander let her — but tension thrummed through his body.

Victoria stopped several feet from Lena, eyes softening in a way that made Lena’s stomach twist.

“Your mother was special,” Victoria said. “Brilliant. Brave. Too brave.” She smiled sadly. “She believed she could take down the Circle alone.”

Lena whispered, “She tried to expose them.”

“Yes,” Victoria said. “And she nearly succeeded.”

Alexander stiffened. “Victoria—”

Victoria shot him a warning look and continued.

“But your mother made one mistake.”

Her voice lowered.

“Trusting the wrong lover.”

Lena’s breath stopped. “L-lover?”

Victoria’s expression shifted — pain flickering beneath her calm.

“She never told you, did she?” Victoria asked softly. “Your mother and I… were in love.”

Lena staggered, gripping the back of a chair to steady herself.

Alexander swore under his breath.

Mrs. Ward closed her eyes, whispering, “Oh child…”

Lena felt the air leave her lungs. “My mother… never said anything.”

Victoria approached slowly — not threatening, but almost mournful.

“She didn’t hide it out of shame,” Victoria said. “She hid it because she was trying to protect you. Protect both of us.”

“How?” Lena whispered.

“When she uncovered evidence against the Split Circle, she came to me first,” Victoria said. “Begged me to run away with her.” A sad smile touched her lips. “I told her I would handle things myself.”

Her expression hardened.

“And I failed her.”

A lump formed in Lena’s throat.

Alexander growled, “This is manipulation.”

Victoria whirled on him, eyes blazing. “This is truth!”

Lena flinched.

Victoria softened again, turning back to her.

“Your mother wanted you far from this world. Far from me. Far from the Circle. But the moment you stepped into Knight Enterprises…”

She paused.

“…your fate was sealed.”

Lena felt cold.

“Why are you really here?” she whispered.

Victoria stepped closer.

“Because the Split Circle believes your mother hid something before she died,” she said. “Something that could destroy them.”

“What did she hide?” Lena breathed.

Victoria’s lips curved into a chilling smile.

“A file,” she said. “One she stole from them.”

“Where is it?” Lena whispered.

Victoria held up the necklace.

“In here.”

Lena’s eyes widened.

But Alexander moved fast.

He lunged to snatch the necklace — but Victoria spun away, laughing softly.

“Oh Alex…” she taunted. “Still too slow.”

She dangled it again.

“Lena,” she said sweetly, “come get it.”

Alexander stepped between them. “Don’t.”

But Lena stared at Victoria.

And for the first time —

Victoria’s smile faded.

Her voice dropped to a whisper.

“Your mother died trying to protect you.”

She held Lena’s gaze.

“Don’t let her sacrifice be for nothing.”

Lena took one step forward.

Alexander grabbed her arm. “Lena—no.”

And that was when the window behind Victoria shattered.

A gunshot echoed.

Victoria stumbled forward—

And someone outside the house lowered their weapon.

Someone Lena couldn’t see.