He Never Claimed Me의 모든 챕터: 챕터 121 - 챕터 130

The metallic creak echoed through the tunnel. No one spoke. Julian raised his flashlight, sweeping the beam across the narrow staircase disappearing into darkness. Thick concrete walls stretched below, stained by years of dampness. Rusted pipes ran overhead, dripping water that echoed through the silence. Nicholas rested one hand on the railing. “I haven’t been down there since that night.” Noah looked at him. “What happened here?” Nicholas’s jaw tightened. “James called me after midnight. He said he’d found something that couldn’t be trusted to paper.” Silas stepped onto the first stair beside Noah. “He made us promise something before we came.” “What?” Noah asked. “If anything happened to him, we were to protect the people he loved before chasing the people who took him.” Noah absorbed the words without replying. The group descended together. Each step stirred dust that had remained untouched for years. At the bottom of the staircase, the tunnel opened into a long co

Morning settled gently over the Volkov estate, but peace never truly arrived. Noah stood alone in his father’s study, turning the silver pendant over in his palm. Julian had returned it after completing every possible scan. Apart from the tiny inscription—L.M. 14—there were no other markings. Yet James had trusted this pendant enough to build an entire trail around it. A knock interrupted his thoughts. “Come in.” Lydia entered carrying a weathered leather journal. “I thought you should have this.” Noah looked at the cover. “Whose is it?” “Your father’s.” His eyes widened. “I found it in a box of personal belongings after watching the recording again. I never paid much attention to it because most of the pages are blank.” She handed it to him. “But James rarely did anything without a reason.” Noah carefully opened the journal. The first few pages contained ordinary notes—meeting schedules, reminders, and rough sketches of business plans. Halfway through, every page appe

The restaurant overlooked the river, its glass walls reflecting the golden lights dancing across the water. Soft piano music drifted through the room as Noah pulled out a chair for Ava. She smiled. “You’re making me feel spoiled.” “You deserve it.” She laughed as she sat down. “You always know the right thing to say.” “I don’t.” “I just say what I mean.” For the first time in what felt like forever, Noah wasn’t thinking about hidden tunnels, coded journals, or Evelyn Ashcroft. He was thinking about the woman sitting across from him. The waiter poured sparkling water before quietly stepping away. Ava rested her chin on her hand. “So…” “So?” “You’ve been mysterious lately.” “I know.” “I don’t like it.” “I know.” She smiled softly. “You’re saying ‘I know’ a lot.” He chuckled. “I’m trying not to lie to you.” The honesty in his answer caught her off guard. “I appreciate that.” There was a brief silence. Comfortable. Unforced. “You know,” Ava began, “when we firs

The wooden box felt heavier than it looked. Noah held it carefully, his fingers tracing the faded blue ribbon wrapped around it. Time had dulled the color, but the knot remained perfectly tied. No one reached for it. No one spoke. The elderly groundskeeper smiled gently. “He tied that ribbon himself.” Lydia’s breath caught. “I remember.” She stepped closer, her eyes fixed on the box. “James could never wrap presents properly.” A faint chuckle escaped Nicholas. “He used to make me redo every birthday gift.” The old man laughed softly. “Not this one.” “He said no one was to touch it after he tied the ribbon.” Silence returned. Noah looked at the groundskeeper. “You knew my father well.” “I knew the man he was before the world taught him to be careful.” The answer lingered in the air. “What should I call you?” Noah asked. The old man inclined his head. “Elias.” “I looked after this place long before your grandfather owned it.” “And after James disappeared?” “I st

Ava stared at the photograph as though it might change if she blinked. James Volkov stood with one arm around a young woman whose smile was unmistakable. Her mother. Only much younger. The trees behind them framed the edge of a lake. Lake Maren. Her fingers tightened around the photograph. “Mum…” Her voice barely rose above a whisper. The salon door opened behind her. “Ava?” Elena stepped outside, wiping her hands on a towel. “I wondered where you—” She stopped mid-sentence. Her eyes settled on the photograph. The color drained from her face. For the first time since Ava could remember, Elena looked genuinely frightened. “Where did you get that?” Ava searched her mother’s expression. “It was under my windshield wiper.” Elena immediately looked around the parking lot. The street was busy. Cars passed. Pedestrians walked by. Yet her instincts told her someone had been watching. “Let’s go inside.” “No.” Ava held her ground. “I need answers.” Elena’s shoulders