Chapter 4 - THE CHILD IN THE LOCKED WING
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The photograph showed Mia asleep beneath a pink blanket.
Her orange stuffed fox was beside her.
I nearly lost control.
“When was this taken?”
My mother answered quietly.
“An hour ago.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I know the place.”
“Then tell me.”
She looked toward the window.
“The old Vance estate.”
My childhood home.
The place I had not visited since my father died.
“Why would Julian take Mia there?”
“Because your father hid the ledger beneath the house.”
I stared.
My mother continued.
“The ledger doesn't contain money.”
“What then?”
“Names.”
I felt cold.
“Of whom?”
“People who helped your father build the empire.”
“Judges?”
“Yes.”
“Police?”
“Yes.”
“Politicians?”
“Yes.”
“Business owners?”
“Everyone.”
“And the ledger proves they were compromised.”
“Yes.”
“Why would Julian need it?”
“To blackmail the city.”
I understood.
The empire wasn't based on ports.
It was based on leverage.
Julian wanted the ledger because whoever controlled it controlled everyone.
My daughter was bait.
I called Julian.
He answered immediately.
“Gabriel.”
“Where is Mia?”
“Safe.”
“Put her on.”
“No.”
“Then you die tonight.”
He laughed.
“You're still trying to sound dangerous.”
“I am dangerous.”
“No.”
His voice became soft.
“You're sick.”
I stared at the phone.
“That diagnosis came from your poison.”
Silence.
For the first time, he didn't answer.
Then:
“You know.”
“Yes.”
“Who told you?”
“My mother.”
Another silence.
“She's alive?”
“Yes.”
He laughed.
“That changes nothing.”
“It changes everything.”
Julian's voice became colder.
“Bring the ledger.”
“What happens if I refuse?”
“Mia dies.”
I closed my eyes.
Then I asked:
“Why?”
“Because your sister is next.”
I froze.
“What sister?”
“You still don't know?”
He laughed.
“She has been watching you for years.”
I looked at my mother.
She whispered:
“Elena.”
The name from the family file.
I asked:
“Who is Elena?”
Julian answered:
“Your sister.”
The call ended.
We drove to the Vance estate.
Marcus brought twelve men.
My mother stayed behind.
I wanted her safe.
The estate was dark.
No security.
No lights.
We entered through the underground garage.
The old house smelled like dust.
Childhood memories flooded back.
My father's office.
My mother's piano.
The staircase where I had broken my arm.
And one locked corridor.
The west wing.
I had never been allowed inside.
Marcus found a hidden key.
The door opened.
Inside were children's bedrooms.
Two.
Not one.
One belonged to me.
The other belonged to Elena.
I stared at the photographs.
My sister.
Dark hair.
Hazel eyes.
Same as mine.
She looked about seventeen in the newest photo.
Then a noise came from behind us.
A young woman stepped into the hallway.
She had a scar across her cheek.
And the same eyes as mine.
She looked at me.
“Gabriel.”
I couldn't speak.
She smiled through tears.
“I'm your sister.”
“Elena.”
“Yes.”
“Where is Mia?”
She looked away.
“She's safe.”
“With Julian?”
“No.”
“Then where?”
Elena pointed toward the basement.
“With someone Julian fears more than me.”
I stared.
“Who?”
She whispered:
“Our father.”
I froze.
“My father is dead.”
Elena shook her head.
“He isn't.”
I felt the floor disappear.
“My father is alive?”
“He's the one who has been poisoning you.”
I turned.
My blood went cold.
No.
Julian had not been the mastermind.
My father had.
Elena stepped closer.
“Julian has been trying to control the empire.”
“But Dad…”
“He wants to control you.”
I stared.
“Why?”
“Because he believes you were never supposed to inherit.”
“Then who was?”
May you like
She pointed at herself.
“Me.”
