031: Questions Left Unanswered

The next morning, Elena woke earlier than usual.

For a few moments, she simply lay in bed, staring at the ceiling as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains.

Sleep had come in short intervals. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her grandfather standing outside Blackwood Mansion, calling her "my child." The words still echoed in her ears.

After so many years apart, it felt unreal that he was finally here.

She had imagined their reunion countless times. Sometimes she imagined herself running into his arms. Other times, she imagined confronting him with all the questions she'd carried for years.

But when the moment finally came, all those words disappeared.

Taking a deep breath, she sat up and rubbed her temples.

"So much has changed," she whispered to herself.

After getting dressed, she slowly made her way downstairs.

When Elena entered the living room, she found her grandfather sitting quietly by the window. A cup of tea rested on the table beside him, but it had long gone cold.

He wasn't reading or watching television.

He seemed lost in thought.

Hearing her footsteps, he looked up and smiled warmly.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Grandpa."

For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.

The silence wasn't uncomfortable.

It was simply the silence of two people trying to reconnect after losing so many years together.

Finally, her grandfather sighed softly.

"I was afraid you wouldn't want to see me."

Elena quickly shook her head.

"No... it wasn't that."

"Then why didn't you answer my calls?"

She lowered her gaze.

"So much happened."

"I didn't know how to explain any of it."

Her grandfather looked at her with understanding instead of disappointment.

"I never wanted to pressure you."

"I only wanted to know you were safe."

His words tightened something inside her chest.

She slowly sat beside him.

"I'm sorry."

"I shouldn't have ignored you."

He gently patted her hand.

"You're here now."

"That's enough for me."

Elena blinked rapidly, holding back the tears threatening to fall.

She hadn't realized how much she needed to hear those words.

Mrs. Harper soon called everyone to the dining room for breakfast.

The table was already filled with warm bread, fresh fruit, eggs, and tea.

Damian joined them a few minutes later, dressed neatly for work.

"Good morning, everyone."

"Morning," they replied almost at the same time.

Breakfast was peaceful.

Mrs. Harper occasionally shared funny stories about Damian's childhood, earning an embarrassed look from him.

"Mrs. Harper..." Damian warned with a helpless smile.

"What?" she laughed.

"You were an adorable child."

Elena couldn't help laughing.

It was soft.

Natural.

The sound made Damian glance at her for a brief second before returning to his meal.

Before leaving for work, Damian picked up his keys.

"I'm heading to the office."

He turned to Elena.

"If you need anything, call me."

"I will."

"Don't hesitate."

She nodded with a small smile.

"I won't."

Their conversation lasted only a few seconds, but Elena's grandfather quietly noticed the mutual respect between them.

He didn't ask any questions.

Not yet.

Later that morning, Elena and her grandfather walked through the gardens surrounding Blackwood Mansion.

The flowers were in full bloom, and a cool breeze carried their sweet fragrance through the air.

"It's beautiful here," her grandfather said.

"It is."

They continued walking in silence until he finally spoke again.

"You've grown into a fine young woman."

Elena smiled faintly.

"I've made a lot of mistakes too."

"We all do."

He stopped walking and looked at her.

"I've missed many years of your life."

"I don't know who you've become."

His voice softened.

"But I'd like to."

Elena swallowed hard.

"I'll tell you everything someday."

"But... I'm not ready yet."

Her grandfather nodded gently.

"I won't force you."

"I've already waited years."

"I can wait a little longer."

His patience eased the guilt weighing on her heart.

For the first time, she realized she didn't have to explain everything immediately.

At Blackwood Group, Damian had just finished a meeting when his assistant knocked on the office door.

"Come in."

"Sir, Margaret called."

Damian looked up from the documents on his desk.

"What did she say?"

"She agreed to meet."

"But she insists that Miss Elena be present."

Damian wasn't surprised.

He had expected Margaret would only reveal the truth in Elena's presence.

"When?"

"Tomorrow afternoon."

Damian nodded thoughtfully.

"Arrange it."

"And keep this confidential."

"Yes, sir."

After his assistant left, Damian leaned back in his chair.

Tomorrow might finally answer some of Elena's questions.

Or it might raise even more.

Across the city, Adrian received another visit from his investigator.

"We managed to trace a few records connected to Elena's childhood."

Adrian immediately looked up.

"And?"

"They're incomplete."

"Several files have been removed."

"Some appear to have been destroyed intentionally."

Adrian's expression darkened.

"So someone is still hiding the truth."

"It appears that way."

After the investigator left, Adrian stood by the window.

The deeper he searched into Elena's past...

The more mysterious it became.

Who had gone to such great lengths to erase her history?

And why?

Back at Blackwood Mansion, Elena's phone vibrated inside her pocket.

She looked down.

A message from Damian appeared on the screen.

Don't forget your appointment this afternoon. I'll pick you up after work.

A gentle smile spread across her face.

She quickly locked the screen and slipped the phone back into her pocket.

She didn't notice her grandfather watching from across the room.

"An appointment?" he asked curiously.

"What kind of appointment?"

Elena's smile slowly disappeared.

Her fingers tightened around her phone.

She opened her mouth to answer...

But no words came out.

She wasn't ready to tell him the truth.

Not yet.