Chapter 28: The Enemy Within

The letter trembled in my hands, its words etched into my mind:

“Your mother didn’t run away—she was taken.”

I stared at the rusted gates of the old Sinclair estate, the morning sun casting long shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of the past. The estate, once a symbol of our family’s prominence, now stood as a decaying monument to forgotten truths.

I had come here seeking answers, but instead, I found more questions. Thomas was nowhere to be seen, his promise of revealing the truth replaced by this cryptic message.

A sudden rustle behind me snapped me back to reality. I spun around, heart pounding, only to find Dominic emerging from the shadows, his expression a mix of concern and determination.

“I told you to stay back,” I said, clutching the letter tightly.

“And let you walk into a trap alone? Not a chance,” he replied, his gaze scanning the surroundings.

I handed him the letter. As he read, his jaw tightened, and a storm brewed in his eyes.

“This changes everything,” he murmured.

“What do you mean?” I asked, dread pooling in my stomach.

He looked at me, the weight of years of secrets evident in his gaze. “Elena, there’s something I need to show you.”

We drove in silence, the city blurring past as we headed to a location unknown to me. Dominic’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, his knuckles white.

Finally, we arrived at a secluded building on the outskirts of the city. He led me inside, down a series of corridors, until we reached a locked door. With a key from around his neck, he unlocked it, revealing a room filled with files, photographs, and documents.

“This is my private archive,” he said. “Everything I’ve uncovered about our families’ pasts is here.”

I stepped inside, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information. Dominic handed me a file labeled “Sinclair-Caldwell Connection.”

As I opened it, photographs of my mother and Dominic’s father fell out, depicting them in various stages of a relationship. Letters detailed their affair, plans to elope, and threats they received.

“They were in love,” I whispered, tears welling up.

“Yes,” Dominic confirmed. “But someone didn’t want them together.”

I sifted through the documents, finding a series of threatening letters addressed to my mother, warning her to stay away from Dominic’s father. The last letter was the most chilling:

“Leave him, or face the consequences.”

“Who sent these?” I asked, my voice trembling.

Dominic hesitated. “We don’t know for sure, but I have my suspicions.”

“Thomas?”

He nodded. “He had the most to gain from tearing them apart.”

A sudden realization hit me. “If my mother was taken, as the letter said, then she might still be alive.”

Dominic looked at me, hope flickering in his eyes. “It’s possible.”

Determined, I said, “We need to find her.”

He agreed. “But we have to be careful. Thomas is dangerous, and he’s always one step ahead.”

I nodded, steeling myself for the journey ahead. “Then let’s not waste any more time.”

As we left the archive, my phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number displayed a single sentence:

“You’re getting too close. Back off, or suffer the consequences.”

I showed it to Dominic, who clenched his fists. “He’s watching us.”

“Let him,” I said, determination burning in my chest. “We’re not stopping until we uncover the truth.”

He looked at me, pride evident in his eyes. “Together.”

“Together,” I echoed.

But as we drove away, neither of us noticed the figure watching from the shadows, a sinister smile playing on his lips.

*****

The following morning, a package arrived at my doorstep. Inside was a photograph of my mother, dated just a week ago, with a note:

“She’s alive. But not for long.”

The photograph in my trembling hands was dated just a week ago. My mother, whom I had believed dead for years, stared back at me, her eyes filled with a haunting mix of sorrow and resilience.

The accompanying note was chilling:

“She’s alive. But not for long.”

Dominic stood beside me, his jaw clenched as he read the note over my shoulder.

“This is Thomas,” he said, his voice a low growl. “He’s playing with us.”

I nodded, my mind racing. “We need to find her. Now.”

He pulled out his phone, dialing a number. “Get the jet ready. We’re leaving in an hour.”

The flight to Geneva was tense. Dominic and I sat in silence, each lost in our thoughts.

Upon landing, we were met by a sleek black car. The driver handed Dominic a file.

“This is the address,” Dominic said, showing me the document. “An old Caldwell property, long abandoned.”

We drove through the winding roads of the Swiss countryside, the tension in the car palpable.

As we approached the estate, a sense of foreboding settled over me. The mansion loomed ahead, its windows dark and foreboding.

We exited the car, approaching the front door cautiously. Dominic picked the lock with practiced ease, and we stepped inside.

The interior was dusty and dimly lit. We moved through the rooms silently, searching for any sign of my mother.

In the basement, we found a locked door. Dominic forced it open, revealing a small room.

Inside, my mother sat on a cot, her eyes widening as she saw us.

“Elena?” she whispered, tears streaming down her face.

I rushed to her, embracing her tightly. “I’m here, Mom. I’m here.”

Dominic stood guard as I helped her up.

Suddenly, a noise behind us made us turn.

Thomas stood in the doorway, a gun in his hand.

“Going somewhere?” he sneered.

Dominic stepped forward, his eyes locked on Thomas. “Let us go, Thomas. This ends now.”

Thomas laughed. “Oh, it’s just beginning.”

He raised the gun, aiming at Dominic.

A shot rang out.

Dominic collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

I screamed, rushing to his side.

Thomas smiled coldly. “Now, Elena, it’s just you and me.”