CHAPTER FOUR: THE DEAD WOMAN IS ALIVE

"She's alive."

Alexander's words echoed through the bedroom.

Isabella stared at him, unable to understand what she had just heard.

"What did you say?"

Alexander didn't answer.

He was still staring at the photograph on her phone. His fingers trembled slightly as he zoomed in on Victoria's face.

For five years, he had believed she was dead.

For five years, he had carried the guilt of failing to protect her.

And now, someone was telling him that everything he believed was a lie.

"Alexander?"

He suddenly looked at Isabella.

"Who sent you this photograph?"

"I don't know. An unknown number."

"Did you reply?"

"Yes."

"What did they say?"

"They said they wanted to save me."

Alexander's expression darkened.

"Did they give you a name?"

"No."

He immediately pulled out his own phone.

"James, I need you in my office. Now."

He ended the call.

Isabella folded her arms.

"Are you going to explain what's happening?"

"No."

She laughed bitterly.

"Of course. Another secret."

Alexander stepped closer.

"Listen to me, Isabella. From this moment, you don't answer unknown calls. You don't open messages from strangers, and you don't leave this mansion without security."

"Excuse me? You don't control my phone!"

"Someone is playing a dangerous game, and unfortunately, you're in the middle of it."

"Because of you!"

He stared at her.

"Perhaps."

Then he walked out.

---

Twenty minutes later, Alexander stood inside his private office.

James, his personal assistant, placed a tablet on the desk.

"Sir, I've checked the photograph."

"And?"

"It was taken outside St. Mary's Hospital three months after Victoria's supposed death."

Alexander's jaw tightened.

"Find the person who took it."

"We're trying."

"Don't try, James. Find them."

James hesitated.

"There's something else, sir."

Alexander looked up.

"What?"

"The hospital records show that a woman using Victoria's full name was admitted under a false identity."

Alexander stood abruptly.

"When?"

"Four years ago."

"Why wasn't I informed?"

"Someone deliberately removed the records."

Alexander walked toward the window.

For the first time in five years, hope and fear were fighting inside his chest.

"Find her."

"Yes, sir."

"And James?"

"Sir?"

"If anyone has been hiding the truth from me, I want to know everything."

---

Meanwhile, Isabella sat on the balcony.

She had never felt so trapped.

The beautiful garden below looked peaceful, but her mind was filled with questions.

Her phone vibrated.

Unknown Number.

She hesitated before answering.

"Hello?"

Silence.

"Hello? Who is this?"

A woman's voice finally came through.

"Isabella?"

Her heart skipped.

"Who are you?"

"Someone who knows what Alexander did."

Isabella stood.

"Are you Victoria?"

There was a long pause.

Then the woman whispered:

"Yes."

Isabella covered her mouth.

"You're alive?"

"I don't have much time. Listen carefully. You must leave that house."

"Why?"

"Because Alexander is not the only person you should fear."

"What does that mean?"

The woman began crying.

"Your father knows the truth. He knows why I disappeared."

Isabella's breathing became uneven.

"Please, tell me what happened!"

Before the woman could answer, the call disconnected.

Isabella immediately called back.

The number was unavailable.

She stared at her phone in disbelief.

Victoria was alive.

And she knew her father.

---

That night, the mansion hosted a private dinner.

Alexander had invited several business associates, and Isabella was expected to appear beside him.

She wore a beautiful black evening gown. Her hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and a pair of diamond earrings completed her appearance.

When she entered the dining room, conversations stopped.

Alexander stood beside the fireplace.

His eyes settled on her.

For several seconds, he said nothing.

Then he extended his hand.

"Come here, Mrs. Blackwood."

Isabella reluctantly walked toward him.

He placed a hand around her waist.

"Smile."

"Why?"

"Because everyone is watching."

She forced a smile.

"You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Enjoying what?"

"Playing husband and wife."

Alexander leaned closer.

"Be careful, Isabella. Someone might think you're jealous."

She rolled her eyes.

"Dream on."

A few minutes later, the blonde woman from the previous day appeared.

Victoria's former friend, according to Mrs. Eleanor.

"Alexander, darling!"

She walked straight toward him and kissed his cheek.

Then her eyes moved toward Isabella.

"Oh, I see your new wife is here."

Alexander's expression remained cold.

"Clara."

"Don't sound so surprised. Did you think I wouldn't come?"

Clara turned toward Isabella.

"How are you enjoying married life?"

"Very well, thank you."

Clara laughed.

"Really? That's interesting. Alexander has never been good at making women happy."

Isabella's smile disappeared.

Alexander placed his glass on the table.

"Clara, that's enough."

But Clara wasn't finished.

She leaned closer to Isabella.

"Ask your husband what happened the night Victoria disappeared."

Isabella froze.

Alexander's hand tightened around her waist.

"Leave."

Clara smiled.

"Still protecting your little secrets, Alexander?"

She picked up her handbag and walked away.

Isabella turned toward her husband.

"What happened that night?"

Alexander looked at her.

"Not here."

"When, then? When will you finally tell me the truth?"

He released her waist.

"Go upstairs."

She shook her head.

"Stop giving me orders!"

"Isabella."

His voice was sharp.

But she was already walking away.

---

Later that night, Isabella returned to her bedroom.

She removed her earrings and placed them on the dressing table.

Then she noticed something strange.

An envelope had been pushed underneath her bedroom door.

There was no name on it.

She opened it carefully.

Inside was a photograph.

It showed Alexander standing beside Victoria.

But this wasn't the photograph she had seen in the library.

In this one, Alexander was holding a newborn baby.

Victoria stood beside him, smiling.

Isabella's hands began to shake.

There was a handwritten message at the back.

The woman you think is dead gave birth to Alexander's child.

Beneath it were five more words.

And your father knows everything.

Isabella dropped the photograph.

Her father?

What did he have to do with a child?

Suddenly, someone knocked.

"Mrs. Blackwood?"

It was Mrs. Eleanor.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Blackwood wants to see you."

Isabella quickly picked up the photograph.

"Tell him I'll be there shortly."

But before she could hide it, she noticed something written in tiny letters at the bottom.

A date.

The same date Isabella's mother had died.

Her heart stopped.

Her mother had supposedly died in a car accident when Isabella was just eighteen.

What connection could there possibly be between her mother's death, Victoria, and Alexander Blackwood?

She stared at the photograph.

Then she heard Alexander's voice outside.

"Isabella, open the door."

She quickly folded the picture and slipped it into her dress.

She opened the door.

Alexander stood before her, his expression unreadable.

"We need to talk."

She looked directly into his eyes.

"So do I."

For the first time, Isabella realised something terrifying.

Perhaps she hadn't married the man who destroyed her family.

Perhaps she had married the man who knew exactly how her family was destroyed.

And the truth was waiting to come out.

END OF CHAPTER FOUR