How Could My Mother Be Alive?

I couldn’t move. My mother stood on the screen, alive, breathing, looking directly at me as if the last twelve years had never happened. No. The word left my mouth before I could stop it. Adrian turned toward me. Elena, that’s not possible. I shook my head. I watched her coffin close. My voice broke. I was there. Adrian didn’t touch me.

On the screen, my mother turned slightly. Her eyes moved toward Noah. Then back to the camera. My little boy was sitting beside her. He looked frightened. Mommy, please come. Something broke inside me. I’m coming, baby. Victoria stepped into view. I stared at her. What do you want? She smiled.

You still don’t understand. I want the truth. You always did. What does that mean? She looked toward my mother. Ask her.

My mother stepped closer to the camera. Elena, don’t trust— The screen went black. I screamed. Turn it back on! Adrian grabbed the projector. It’s disconnected. No! I rushed toward the balcony.

Victoria was gone. The doors behind her swung in the wind. Adrian caught up with me. Don’t go after her. My son is with her. I know. Then let me go.

He stepped in front of me. We’re not going upstairs blind. I stared at him. What do you suggest? We find another way into the estate. Victoria had taken Noah from Blackwood House. But if the footage was live, they weren’t far. Adrian pulled out his phone. I’m calling every security unit. I stopped him. No.

He frowned. Why? Because she wants us to panic. I looked at the dark screen. She showed us my mother for a reason. She wants us to follow. And if she’s alive? My throat tightened. Then someone has been lying to me for twelve years. He nodded slowly.

We leave through the side entrance. We reached the back corridor. Adrian moved silently ahead. I followed.

Halfway there, I noticed something on the floor. A small bracelet. I knew it immediately. It belonged to my mother. I picked it up. The silver chain had a tiny blue stone in the center. She wore it every day, even at her funeral. My fingers shook. Adrian looked at it.

This is hers? Yes. Then she was here. I stared at him.

How? He didn’t answer.

A memory surfaced. My mother sitting on the edge of my childhood bed. Her bracelet flashing beneath the lamp. Her voice whispering something I had forgotten. If anything happens to me, never let Daniel give you the blue key. The words stopped me cold. Daniel. My father. I looked at Adrian. The key.

What key? The blue one. He stared at me. Your father had another key? I nodded. I remembered the box. The black box from the chapel. My father had held it. My mother had been wearing this bracelet. And someone had wanted me to forget.

Adrian took my hand. Where is the black box? I don’t know. Think. I closed my eyes. A flash. The chapel, my father’s hands, the box. Then a blue key beneath the lining. I opened my eyes. The box. We need to find it. We turned back toward the chapel.

But before we reached the door, Adrian stopped. Someone was standing outside. A man. Tall, dark coat, black gloves. My heart stopped. Marcus. He raised both hands. Don’t shoot. Adrian’s entire body went rigid. Where is Noah? Marcus looked at me.

You shouldn’t have come back. I stepped forward.

Where is my son? He shook his head. I don’t have him. You’re lying. He looked toward Adrian. You need to listen to me. Adrian moved closer. You have five seconds. Marcus swallowed. Your mother is alive. I already know. His expression changed.

Then you know nothing. What does that mean?

He looked at me; Your mother didn’t survive twelve years ago. She was hidden. By whom? Marcus hesitated. Your father.

I stared at him. Why? Because he was protecting her. From whom? Marcus looked behind him. From the people who wanted the twins. My children? He nodded. They knew about the boys before they were born. Adrian stepped forward. Who are they?

Marcus looked at him. Your family.

My stomach dropped. Which one? Marcus’s eyes moved toward the estate. All of them. Then a gunshot exploded. Marcus jerked backward. I screamed. Adrian pulled me down. Another shot struck the stone wall. Security rushed forward. Marcus lay on the ground. Blood spread across his coat. Adrian crawled toward him. Stay with me. Marcus grabbed his jacket. The blue key. Elena has to find— His hand went limp. I stared at him. Adrian checked his pulse. Nothing. My chest tightened.

Marcus was dead.

Again, someone had taken a piece of the truth away from me. Adrian stood. His eyes met mine.

We’re going back. Why? Because Marcus said your family wanted the twins. I looked toward the estate.

The place I had once called home. The place where my husband had grown up. The place where my mother had supposedly died. I suddenly understood something. Someone had been hiding the truth inside that house for twelve years; And now they knew I was finally looking for it. Adrian took my hand. This time, I didn’t pull away. We returned to the car. But before I got inside, I looked back at the chapel. Something glinted beneath the altar.

A tiny blue reflection. I couldn’t look away. Adrian followed my gaze. What is it? I pointed. The blue key.

It was lying exactly where my father had stood twelve years ago. And beside it was a photograph of my mother. On the back were written nine words.

I never died, Elena. I was waiting for you.