All Chapters of The Woman I Became After You: Chapter 51 - Chapter 60

I could not speak for several seconds after leaving the hospital room. My mother’s best friend. The woman who had known me since I was a child, who had held my mother when Daniel disappeared, who had attended every family gathering and stood beside us through every painful year. Her name was Evelyn Hart, and I had called her Aunt Evelyn for most of my life. Now I could barely say her name without feeling sick.Adrian watched me carefully. “Are you sure?”I nodded. “My uncle told me.”“Did he explain how she was involved?”“Not yet. He was too weak.”Adrian took my hand. “Then we need to be careful.”“I know.”My mother walked toward us, having heard enough already to sense that something was wrong. “What happened?”I looked at her. “Mum, I need to ask you something.”She grew worried immediately. “What is it?”“Evelyn.”Her face changed. “What about her?”“Did she know about the fire?”My mother stared at me. “No.”“Are you certain?”“Yes.”“Did she know about Daniel?”“She knew that

The figure stepped into the house, and for several seconds I could not breathe. The lights were still off, leaving only the faint glow from the street outside to illuminate the stranger’s face. Then the person stepped forward, and my heart dropped.“Evelyn.”My mother’s hand flew to her mouth. “No.”Evelyn stood in the doorway with tears running down her face. She did not look like the woman I had grown up with. She looked exhausted, frightened, and utterly defeated. Behind her stood Michael, and I looked from one of them to the other. “You knew he was alive.”Evelyn closed her eyes. “Yes.”My mother moved toward her. “How could you?”Evelyn looked at her. “I was trying to protect you.”“You lied to me for almost thirty years.”“I know.”“You let me believe your husband was dead.”“I know.”“You stood beside me while I mourned people you knew were still alive.”Tears streamed down Evelyn’s face. “I never wanted any of this.”I felt anger rising inside me. “Then why did you do it?”Eve

The moment Edward’s voice echoed through the estate, every instinct inside me told me to run, but I did not move. I had spent too many years running from truths I did not understand, and tonight I wanted answers.Adrian stepped in front of me. “Stay behind me.”Edward laughed from somewhere beyond the hallway. “You always were protective of her, Adrian.”Adrian’s jaw tightened. “Where is she?”“You mean Michael’s daughter?”“Yes.”“She is alive.”I stepped forward. “Then bring her here.”There was a pause, and Edward’s voice grew calmer. “Elena, you are more like your father than you realize.”“Do not talk about my father.”“I knew he would say the same thing.”My heart began pounding. “You knew my father?”“Better than you think.”“Where is he?”Edward did not answer. Instead, footsteps approached from the hallway, and several armed men appeared. I did not allow myself to look frightened, even as they filed into the room. Behind them stood Edward Vale, looking older than I remembered

For several seconds after the lights returned, nobody moved. I stood frozen, staring at my empty hand. The pendant was gone, and my heart began racing.“Adrian.”“I am here.” He came toward me immediately. “Are you hurt?”I shook my head. “The pendant.”“I know.”“It was in my hand.”“I know.” He looked around the room. “Everyone stay where you are.”My father immediately checked the doors. “Edward escaped.”Michael moved toward the hallway. “He had help.”Daniel stopped him. “Do not go alone.”I looked around. “Where is Amelia?”She was standing beside my mother. “I am here.”I breathed out in relief, and then I noticed someone was missing. “Where is Evelyn?”Everyone turned, but she was gone. My stomach dropped. “She was here when the lights went out.”Michael’s expression changed. “No.” He ran toward the back entrance, and we followed him. The door stood open, and outside several vehicles were already disappearing down the road. Michael stood there helplessly. “Evelyn.”I looked at

The old church stood at the edge of town, surrounded by tall trees and silence. As we approached the entrance, I could not shake the feeling that we were walking directly into a trap.Adrian noticed my expression. “You can still change your mind.”I looked at him. “No.”“Elena.”“I have spent my entire life waiting for answers. I am not turning back now.”He reached for my hand. “Then we stay together.”My father remained inside the car with Michael’s family. We had agreed that Adrian and I would enter first while they watched the surroundings.The church doors were unlocked, and we stepped inside. The air smelled of dust and old wood.“Edward?” I called. My voice echoed through the empty building, but no answer came.Adrian looked around. “He wants us to believe he is not here.”I tightened my grip on the pendant, and then I noticed something carved into one of the wooden benches. A small symbol, the same symbol engraved on the back of my pendant.“Adrian.”He followed my gaze. “That