Chapter 5: The Woman They Buried Twice

Elena read the sentence once again.

INTERVIEW ELENA, ASK ELENA WHY HER MOTHER REALLY DIED.

Her fingers became icy cold and hard.

She gazed at Damien.

Why this one says my mommy?

He didn't answer.

"Damien."

His eyes were glued to the picture.

"I don't know."

“There's more to this than that.”

"I know."

Elena turned over the picture.

Her mother's face was staring at her.

Young.

Beautiful.

Alive.

Elena was almost completely without memory of her mother.

Only fragments.

She was combing Elena's hair with a gentle touch, talking to the girl in a soft tone.

The fragrance of jasmine.

Though she feared thunderstorms, warm hands were wrapped around her.

Then nothing.

Elena's mom died when she was 6 years old.

Her father says that a car accident caused her injuries.Her father said he believes she was hurt in an auto accident.

That's what they told her to do.

A simple accident.

A tragic accident.

Unintentionally caused accidents for which there was no information for the Blackwoods.

However, someone had stolen a photo of her mother from Damien's personal archives and left a note alerting him.

Elena's gaze was upon a look of Damien.

Who were your mother's mother and father?

"I don't know."

After 25 years of study it would be my fault that nobody noticed?

"Apparently not."

"Apparently?"

Her voice cracked.

In this photo, my mom is next to y'all's mom and dad.

Damien's eyes hardened.

"I can see that."

"Then explain it."

I cannot go into the details of what I didn't know existed!

Elena locked her eyes on him.

No, this time Damien was not invulnerable, the billionaire.

He seemed as befuddled as she was.

She was even more frightened of this.

Who is the photo taken by?

"We'll find out."

"And the message?"

That we will find out also!

Elena shook her head.

"No."

Damien frowned.

"No?"

“Wait no more, I'm finished.”

She clutched the photograph to her bosom.

All I ever knew and did was based on a lie, my dad was a traitor, my mum died mysteriously, your parents are dead, and now some one's threatening me.

Her eyes burned.

"I want answers."

Damien came forward towards her.

"You'll get them."

"When?"

"Elena—"

"Today."

He stopped.

She gazed him in the eye.

You want me to marry you? Fine."

His expression changed.

I will tell you my answer today!

Elena lifted up the picture.

But I want to know the true story about mum,"

Damien's eyes looked at the picture.

So we agreed, if she'd come along, I would buy her a drink.

A voice broke in on them.

"Do you?"

Elena turned.

Isabella was at the end of the stairs.

Her arms were crossed.

Are you sure you're going to marry him?

Elena's eyes narrowed.

“It's another man's responsibility.”

When your marriage takes away everything I've been promised, it becomes my business.

Damien's expression hardened.

"Isabella, leave."

She ignored him.

Are you clear in your mind what you're doing?

Elena went down the stairs.

"Educate me."

Isabella smiled.

“It is not in Damien's plans to marry you for love.”

"I know."

She was taken aback by the answer.

Elena continued.

He intends to marry me, in order to enter into my family's records.

“There he is, trying to take a revenge.”

Elena stopped.

"Revenge for what?"

Isabella took a glance at Damien.

"Ask him."

Damien's voice colder.

"Enough."

Why not, why not, tell her!

"Leave."

You're willing to give up Blackwood Group for a girl whose father broke up your family?

Elena's eyes were fixed on Damien.

There it was again.

The question that had been eluding her.

"Damien."

He looked at her.

Have you ever thought that my daddy was a malfeasant?

He didn't say anything, but it only took him a second.

But it was enough.

Elena's heart sank.

"You did."

I thought that I was being deceived by the evidence.

Not that I didn't want it.”

Damien came to her.

Twenty-five years ago, all I heard said your father was to blame.

"And now?"

“So, I know that someone has altered the evidence,” he said.

“But, you still thought he was guilty.”

"I was a child."

Elena froze.

Damien's expression changed.

When my parents died I was 10 years old.

Elena's anger subsided.

She didn't consider it.

She was 6 years old when her mother passed away.

Damien was a 10 year old.

Two children.

Two families.

Two tragedies.

Adults for 25 years had been sowing the seed of hatred in the soil of their hearts.

Elena looked away.

"I'm sorry."

Damien's voice softened.

"So am I."

They both remained silent for a while.After that they both remained silent.

Then she smiled quietly, Isabella.

"This is touching."

Elena turned.

"Do you ever stop?"

Isabella's smile disappeared.

You're not quite sure what you are getting yourself into.

"Maybe."

Elena came towards her.

But you, either, do not!

Isabella's eyes narrowed.

Elena picked up the picture.

It was 25 years ago when our families were connected.

She took another leap forward.

The years have been a cover-up," says "There has been a cover-up over the years.

Another.

I'm in trouble now," he replied.

Elena's voice dropped.

If you believe that I'm going to leave because you were told that I would be with Damien, you're wrong.

Isabella's face hardened.

"You'll regret this."

Elena didn't flinch.

"Get in line."

Isabella looked at Damien.

"You'll lose everything."

Damien had a quick response to his question.

If I do that I'll lose it.

Isabella stared at him.

She now seemed to be injured for the first time.

"You're serious."

"Completely."

She shook her head.

You never choose anybody rather than Blackwood.

Damien's eyes turned to Elena.

"Maybe that's changing."

Elena's heart skipped.

Isabella noticed.

Her expression darkened.

"Enjoy your marriage."

She turned her eyes towards the door.

“Well, I tell you, Elena…”

She stopped.

“You're not going to be happy without his wife.”

Behind her the door was slammed shut.

Elena looked speculatively at her.

"She seems pleasant."

Damien gave her a look.

“You're enjoying yourself a lot to make her angry.”

"Maybe a little."

"Don't."

"Why?"

Isabella is never condescending and always ready to follow up her claims with deeds.

Elena's smile disappeared.

Well, what have I just done myself?

Damien stared at her.

"My world."

After two hours, Elena, sitting across from Damien, was in his private study.

They had an extensive contract on the table, and a lawyer.

Lucas stood nearby.

Elena read the newspaper.

"One year."

It would be one year, said Damien.

"Separate bedrooms."

"Yes."

“Interference in personal decisions none.”

"Yes."

“Open to the public (as required)”.

"Yes."

During our marriage, neither of us will be allowed to date someone else.

Damien's eyebrow lifted.

Elena immediately clarified.

"Publicly."

His mouth twitched.

"I understood."

"Don't."

I don't do anything.

"Your face is."

Lucas coughed.

Elena gazed upon him.

"Are you laughing?"

"Absolutely not."

"Good."

Damien signed on to the contract.

“There's something you have to know.”

"What?"

So long as we sign this, the general public will think we're actually married”.

"That's the point."

“They will be taking pictures of us.”

"I know."

“They’ll be spewing shit about us.”

"I know."

They'll assume that we're fucking.

Elena nearly choked.

"That's their problem."

His eyes were fixed on her.

"Is it?"

Her face warmed.

"Sign the contract."

He smiled.

That smile was not to her liking.

Then Lucas placed 2 pens on the table.

Elena took one of them.

Her hand paused.

This was insane.

She was soon to be the wife of a man whose family had been falsely convinced to be a traitor for 25 years.

Her first date was with a billionaire and it lasted only two dates.

A man who could destroy her life in one fell swoop.

And yet...

She had more faith in him than in any other person at this moment.

Frightening moment, when she knew that she was a suspect.

She signed.

Elena Hart.

Damien got the pen.

He wrote under her signature.

Damien Blackwood.

The documents were gathered by Lucas.

"Congratulations."

Elena gazed at him.

"Don't say that."

Lucas immediately nodded.

"Understood."

Damien stood.

"It's done."

Elena read through the contract.

This is because her entire life had two signatures that changed it.

"Not yet."

Damien frowned.

"What?"

Still, I still want one more thing!

"What?"

Indeed, my mom was real.

His gaze sharpened.

Everything I have on my hands I will give you.”

"No."

She stepped closer.

I want to see the archives!

Damien was gazing at her.

“That is a part of the deal.”

I want to access prior to wedding.

His expression changed.

"Absolutely not."

Elena closed her arms.

"Why?"

The archives are perilous: "The archives are perilous.

"Paper is dangerous?"

"You don't understand."

"Then explain."

Damien's jaw tightened.

“In those files, there's things that can destroy people.

"Good."

He stared at her.

"Good?"

Let them be destroyed who destroy my family!

A glint of something fierce lit in Damien's eyes.

Approval.

Perhaps even admiration.

"You're ruthless."

"Only when necessary."

He stepped closer.

“So, that's another matter entirely.”

"What?"

"Don't go into the archives on your own.

"Fine."

"I'll be with you."

Elena took a look at him.

"Why?"

“If someone has been lying for 25 years, then he won't like us revealing it.”

She swallowed.

"Tonight?"

Damien nodded.

"Tonight."

The Blackwood archives were buried under the mansion.

It's not until Damien employs a secret access door in the back of a painting that Elena realizes the elevator is there.

The doors opened.

She stared.

"You're kidding."

"No."

The elevator descended.

And descended.

And descended.

Elena's eyes made contact with Damien's eyes.

What is the height of this house?

"Deep enough."

You are not a very talkative person.

"I've been told."

The elevator stopped.

The doors opened.

The cold air brushed against Elena's face.

This large room in the basement had cabinets which were locked.

Old documents.

Photographs.

Boxes.

Family records.

Secrets for 25 years.

Elena stepped out.

Where shall we begin?

Damien walked towards a secured area.

"My parents' case."

He entered a code.

The lock clicked.

Elena followed.

Damien took out a box.

He set it out on the table.

All of the data from the original investigation is included.

Elena opened it.

Police reports.

Newspaper articles.

Financial statements.

Photographs.

She was provided with one of the reports.

She scanned the page with her eyes.

Then stopped.

"Damien."

He looked at her.

"What's wrong?"

She pointed.

This isn't Dad's signature.

Damien picked up the document.

"What?"

"The signature."

She pointed again.

That's not my father's signature! that's my signature my father signed hundreds of legal documents!

Damien studied it.

Elena retrieved another bundle of documents.

"Neither is this."

Then another.

"These aren't his."

Damien's expression changed.

"Someone forged them."

"Exactly."

Elena's heart pounded.

Finally she saw the evidence in her eyes.

Real evidence.

She dug deeper within the box.

The little envelope fell to the ground.

Elena picked it up.

There was no name.

No address.

Only one word.

LUCIA.

Elena froze.

Lucia was her mother's name.

She gazed at Damien.

Why is my mother's name on my parents case file?

The envelope was handed to Damien.

His fingers stopped.

"What?"

"Open it."

He looked at her.

"Elena—"

"Open it."

Gradually, the envelope became torn by Damien.

On the inside there was just one piece of paper.

He unfolded it.

He looked over the page with his eyes.

He went quiet all of a sudden.

"What?"

He didn't answer.

"Damien."

He handed her the paper.He presented the paper to her.

Elena read the first line.

Lucia Hart was not killed in a car accident.

Her breath disappeared.

"No."

She continued reading.

Her death was planned as there is evidence that she had found out the truth about the Blackwood tragedy.

Elena's hands began to shake.

"That's impossible."

Damien picked up the paper.

Elena took it away.

"Don't."

She read the last sentence.

Then froze.

She slowly turned towards Damien.

"What?"

He watched her.

"What does it say?"

Elena couldn't speak.

She gave him the paper.

Damien read it.

His expression changed.

"What?"

His voice fell to a rumbling sound.

Elena gestured to the lower part.

There was a name.

An unexpected name.

A name which brought a pallor to Damien's cheeks.

Richard Blackwood.

Elena whispered,

My mother was murdered by your uncle.

Damien merely glanced at the page.

"No."

"But it's here."

This could be somebody's writing.

"Why would they?"

"I don't know."

So, why is it in your family's archive?

Damien took the time to gaze at her.

Before he could answer, the lights went out.

Elena gasped.

The room was filled with darkness.

"Damien?"

"I'm here."

She heard his shuffling around.

After this, the archive door closed.

Elena's heart raced.

"Damien!"

He put his hand on hers.

"Stay close."

There was something that crashed somewhere behind them.

Elena jumped.

“There's somebody in here.”

"I know."

He attracted her to him, Damien.

He covered her body when they went back.

She could hear him breathing.

Savor him.

She had a fast beating heart, but not in fear.

Then a light suddenly flashed on.

Emergency lighting was provided in the room.

Damien swung around and was now facing the door.

His face changed.

The archive box had been taken out.

Elena stared.

"The evidence."

It had been stolen.

However, the worst didn't happen.

The box had been on a new white rose, which was on the table.

And beneath it...

A photograph.

Elena picked it up.

It displayed her mom.

Alive.

Externado in a hospital.

A small child is in her arms.

Then Elena studied the picture.

Everything became motionless in her body.

"Damien..."

He gazed over her shoulder.

His face went pale.

Not because it wasn't the baby in the arms of Lucia Hart, but because it was not.

Damien whispered,

Exclaiming “who is that kid?”

Elena flipped the photo over.

There was a message in it.

MOMMY IS NOT DEAD TO PROTECT YOU.

There was another line under it.

SHE GIVE HER LIFE FOR YOUR SISTER.

Elena's blood chilled at the thought of what was to come.

"Sophia?"

His eyes looked at her.

I wasn't just the girl who I trusted my whole life, step-sister wasn't the woman.

She may be the hub of the entire universe.