Chapter 5 — The Truth She Never Knew

Lena couldn’t move.

Her eyes remained fixed on the photograph in her trembling hands.

Two little girls.

One was her.

The other was Elena.

And standing behind them was her mother, smiling as if the three of them had never known anything but happiness.

But Lena remembered nothing.

She slowly looked at the woman standing in front of her.

“My sister?”

Elena nodded.

“Yes.”

Lena shook her head.

“No. That’s impossible.”

“I know it sounds impossible.”

“My mother only had me.”

“That’s what you were told.”

Lena’s fingers tightened around the photograph.

She looked at Alexander.

“You knew.”

He didn’t deny it.

That silence hurt more than anything.

“You knew about her.”

“Yes.”

“How long?”

Alexander lowered his eyes.

“Since before you came to work for me.”

Lena stared at him.

“You knew my sister was alive, and you never told me?”

“I was trying to protect you.”

“Protect me from what?”

Alexander stepped closer.

“From the people who wanted to find her.”

Elena suddenly laughed bitterly.

“Still the same excuse, Alexander.”

Lena turned toward her.

“What does he have to do with my family?”

Elena’s expression hardened.

“More than you realize.”

Alexander looked at her sharply.

“Not here.”

“Why not?” Elena asked. “She deserves to know.”

Lena looked between them.

“Someone please explain what is happening.”

Elena took a deep breath.

“Your mother and I were once part of the same family. But after our father died, everything changed.”

Lena frowned.

“Our father?”

“Yes.”

Elena looked at the photograph.

“Our father was wealthy. Very wealthy. But he had enemies.”

“What kind of enemies?”

“People who wanted his company. His money. His influence.”

Lena’s heart began beating faster.

“What happened to him?”

Elena hesitated.

“He died in an accident.”

Lena stared at her.

“My mother told me he died before I was born.”

“He did.”

“Then how could I have known him?”

“You didn’t.”

Elena looked at her sadly.

“But I did.”

Lena felt a strange ache in her chest.

“What happened after he died?”

“Our family broke apart.”

Elena glanced at Alexander.

“Your mother took you and disappeared.”

“Why?”

“Because someone was looking for you.”

Lena swallowed.

“Who?”

Elena didn’t answer.

Alexander did.

“The people responsible for your father’s death.”

Silence filled the lobby.

Lena felt cold all over.

“You're saying my father was murdered?”

“We believe so,” Alexander replied.

“And my mother knew?”

“Yes.”

Lena stepped backward.

Her entire life suddenly felt like a lie.

The simple stories her mother had told her.

The memories.

The photographs.

Everything she believed about her childhood seemed to have another side.

“Why didn't my mother tell me?”

“Because she wanted you to live normally,” Elena said softly.

Lena looked at her.

“Did she love you?”

Elena’s eyes immediately filled with tears.

“She loved me more than anyone.”

“Then why did she leave you?”

Elena looked away.

“Because she thought keeping me away from you was the only way to keep you safe.”

Lena stared at the photograph again.

A tear rolled down her cheek.

“I don't remember you.”

“I know.”

“You were there when I was little?”

“Yes.”

“How could I forget?”

Elena smiled sadly.

“You were only four when we were separated.”

Lena closed her eyes.

A sudden image flashed through her mind.

A garden.

A little girl holding her hand.

A woman calling them inside.

A red ribbon.

Then darkness.

Lena opened her eyes.

“I remember something.”

Elena immediately stepped closer.

“What?”

“A red ribbon.”

Elena covered her mouth.

“You remember.”

“Someone gave me one.”

Elena nodded through her tears.

“I did.”

Lena looked down at her hands.

For the first time, the woman standing before her didn't feel like a stranger.

She felt familiar.

Like a missing piece of a life Lena had forgotten.

Then Lena noticed something.

The necklace around Elena’s neck.

It had a small silver star.

Lena reached into her bag.

Her fingers touched something hidden inside.

She pulled out a small necklace.

A silver star.

Elena stared at it.

“You still have yours.”

Lena looked at her in shock.

“You gave this to me?”

“Before we were separated.”

Alexander watched silently.

Lena turned toward him.

“Why didn't you tell me?”

“I tried.”

She stared at him.

“You tried?”

“I wanted to tell you many times. But every time I got close, someone else appeared.”

“Who?”

Alexander's expression became serious.

“The same person who has been searching for Elena.”

Lena’s blood ran cold.

“Are you saying they know where I am?”

Before Alexander could answer, his phone rang.

He looked at the screen.

His expression changed.

“What is it?” Lena asked.

Alexander answered the call.

“Speak.”

A voice came from the other end.

His eyes immediately darkened.

“Are you sure?”

He listened for several seconds.

Then he slowly looked at Lena.

“They found you.”

Lena felt her stomach drop.

“Who?”

Alexander ended the call.

He walked toward her and lowered his voice.

“We need to leave. Now.”

Elena grabbed Lena’s hand.

“Listen to him.”

“But where are we going?”

“Somewhere they can't reach you.”

Lena looked around the building.

Employees were beginning to stare.

Security guards were whispering among themselves.

Everything suddenly felt unsafe.

She looked at Alexander.

“Can I trust you?”

He didn't answer immediately.

Then he stepped closer.

“I know I lied to you.”

His voice was quiet.

“But I swear, Lena, everything I did was to keep you alive.”

Lena stared into his eyes.

For the first time, she saw something she had never seen before.

Not the cold CEO.

Not the powerful businessman.

Just a man who was afraid of losing her.

She slowly nodded.

“Then tell me everything.”

Alexander took her hand.

“I will.”

He glanced toward the glass doors.

Outside, a black car had just stopped in front of the building.

A man stepped out.

He looked up at the building.

Straight toward them.

Alexander's grip tightened around Lena's hand.

“He’s here.”

And this time, Lena knew one thing for certain.

Her past had finally found her.