CHAPTER 39
CHAPTER 39
THE MOTHER WHO DISAPPEARED
Elena's mother had been dead for seven years.
At least, that was what Elena believed.
She had attended the funeral.
She had seen the coffin.
She had received the death certificate.
But the body had never been identified through DNA.
The funeral had been arranged by a private organization.
An organization connected to Richard Vale.
Elena could barely breathe.
"My mother is alive?"
Richard nodded.
"She has been hiding."
"Where is she?"
"With Lily."
Nathaniel nearly attacked him.
The police arrived before he could.
Richard was arrested.
But Lily was still missing.
The search became national.
Then Elena received a video.
Her mother appeared on screen.
Older.
Thinner.
But alive.
And beside her stood Lily.
"Mommy!"
Elena collapsed to her knees.
Her mother looked into the camera.
"Elena, I am sorry."
"Where are you?"
"I did what I had to do."
"You took my daughter."
"I protected her."
"From whom?"
Her mother looked away.
Then she whispered:
"From your father."
Elena froze.
"My father died when I was young."
"No."
Her mother shook her head.
"That is what they wanted you to believe."
Nathaniel stared at the screen.
May you like
Elena's mother continued:
"Your father is the man who started everything."
