Chapter 14

Elena’s POV

Morning came heavy, I sat by the window, still in the same clothes from last night, my head hurts and my eyes were swollen.

 I heard voices downstairs, his and someone else’s, it was soft, and too close.

I stood and slowly walked out of the room. My feet were weak and the house was quiet, but something didn’t feel right and I felt eyes on me.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I paused, there was a shadow in the hallway. Someone moved quickly past the corner.

My chest tightened and I whispered, “Who’s there?” But there was no answer.

I clutched my phone tight and kept walking, every sound was loud, the ticking clock, and my heartbeat, even the rustle of my hair.

In the kitchen, I saw a cup on the counter, it was Lucien’s.

Then I heard faint laughter from the living room, a woman's voice, it was familiar, smooth and cold.

I moved closer and the sound grew clearer.

“Lucien, I’m only here because I care,” she said and my blood ran cold. That voice.

I stepped into the doorway and froze.

Valeria.

She was standing there in a fitted white dress, her smile was calm, her eyes were on Lucien like she owned him.

Lucien looked tense, but he didn’t push her away, he just said something I couldn't hear and my throat closed.

Valeria turned slightly and saw me, her lips curved into a faint smirk. “Oh. You’re awake.”

Her tone was soft but sharp, it was like a knife wrapped in silk.

I looked at Lucien, but he didn’t meet my eyes.

Something inside me broke a little more.

I forced a small smile and said quietly, “Good morning.”

Then I turned away before they could see the tears in my eyes.

Lucien’s POV

I stood by the window in my study, and stared at nothing, the house was heavy and every sound echoed in my head. I heard Elena’s footsteps upstairs, it was soft but restless. She hadn’t been the same since last night,and neither had I.

I couldn’t get the image of that birth record out of my mind. Stone, my name, it felt like a knife twisted in my chest.

She lied to me, or maybe she didn’t and didn’t even know anymore.

Daniel’s voice still rang in my head, Sir, there’s a hidden birth record under a false name.

I closed my eyes, I should have hated her for this, but I couldn’t, something about her silence told me she was protecting something, or someone.

Last night, I came home with Valeria.

She insisted on following me after I accidentally came across her at a charity dinner, saying she wanted to “talk.” I didn’t plan to bring her, but I was too angry to think straight, she said she only wanted to help me “see the truth.” I didn’t stop her when she walked into my house like she still belonged here.

She smiled and stood up slowly after Elena saw us and left. “Your step mother. She still likes me, you know.”

I clenched my jaw. “This is not your home.”

“I know.” She walked closer. “But I can’t watch you destroy yourself over someone who’s lying to you.”

I folded my arms. “You don’t know anything about Elena.”

“Oh, I know enough.” Her eyes glinted. “You think she’s innocent, but she is hiding something big and if you don’t see it soon, it might destroy you.”

I glared at her. “Get out.”

She sighed, then touched my arm lightly. “You’re blind, Lucien. She’s lying to you. Just like she lied about everything else.”

I pulled my arm away. “Leave, Valeria. Don’t make me repeat it.”

She gave a small, sad smile. “You’ll see the truth soon.”

When she finally left, I felt my chest burnt with anger, but underneath it, there was fear. What if she’s right?

I shook my head hard. No. Elena’s not like that. She’s scared, not deceitful. Still, doubt crept in again, quiet and slow.

By the time evening came, the mansion was filled with people. It was the company’s family event, something my step mother insisted on hosting. Reporters stood outside, guests inside, music playing softly.

Elena came down the stairs in a simple navy dress, she looked pale, and her eyes were tired, but still graceful.

Valeria was already here, dressed in red and smiling too sweetly.

When she saw Elena, her smile widened.  “Oh, you came. How brave of you.”

Elena looked at her quietly, not saying a word.

Valeria laughed and raised her voice just enough for the people nearby to hear. “Lucien, she’s so humble. I remember when I used to wear simple clothes like that, before I became part of your world.”

A few guests laughed softly. Elena’s hands tightened around her purse and she looked down, biting her lip.

I stepped closer to Valeria and spoke through clenched teeth. “Enough.”

She looked at me innocently. “What? I’m only being friendly.”

But I saw the hurt in Elena’s eyes, it cut deep and I wanted to pull her close, to stop her from breaking, but she turned away before I could.

She excused herself and walked out of the hall, I watched her go, and something pressed on my chest.

Valeria leaned closer and whispered, “You saw it, didn’t you? She can’t even face you. What is she hiding, Lucien?”

I did answer and I just walked away.

The party was loud. Laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses mixed together, I tried to stay focused, smiling at people I don’t care about. Elena stood across the room and then my phone vibrated in my pocket. I stepped out onto the balcony and answered.

“Daniel,” I said quietly.

“Sir,” his voice was low. “We found movement in Madelina’s foundation funds.”

My hand froze on the railing. “What kind of movement?”

“Same line used for the ransom call, sir. The trace came from one of her charity accounts.”

The word hit me hard and stared at the lights, cold spread through my chest.

“Are you sure?” I asked

“Yes, sir. I double-checked before calling.”

I ended the call and lowered the phone slowly. My stepmother, her name was tied to the same account that demanded ransom.

Part of me wanted to storm out and confront her and another part stopped me. What if there’s more to it? What if she’s being used?