Chapter 5: The Enemy Inside
The Blackwood convoy returned to the manor just before sunset.
Adrian didn’t say a word during the entire journey.
His silence was more frightening than anger.
Elena sat in the back seat with Lily asleep against her chest.
She looked down at her daughter.
For four years, Lily had been her entire world.
But now…
Adrian knew she existed.
And Elena wasn’t sure whether that was a blessing or a curse.
When the car stopped, Adrian opened the door.
“Give her to me.”
Elena looked up.
“What?”
“Lily.”
“Why?”
“You’re exhausted.”
“I can carry my own daughter.”
“I know.”
His voice softened.
“But you don’t have to carry everything alone anymore.”
Elena stared at him.
Those words hurt more than his hatred ever had.
Because once upon a time, she had believed exactly that.
That Adrian would always be there.
Until the night everything changed.
She carefully handed Lily to him.
Adrian held the little girl awkwardly at first.
Lily stirred.
“Daddy…”
Adrian froze.
Then his arms tightened around her.
“I’m here.”
Elena watched them disappear into the manor.
For the first time in five years…
she felt like she wasn’t alone.
But that feeling lasted only a few minutes.
Because when Elena entered the manor, she found Adrian standing in his study.
His expression was cold.
“There are twelve people who knew about Lily’s existence.”
Elena stopped.
“How?”
“Your phone.”
He placed it on the desk.
“It was cloned two months ago.”
Elena’s face went pale.
“By whom?”
“We’re finding out.”
She stepped closer.
“Adrian…”
He looked at her.
“I need you to tell me everything.”
“I already told you.”
“No.”
His voice became firm.
“You told me what you wanted me to know.”
Elena looked away.
He walked toward her.
“Who helped you disappear?”
“No one.”
“Who protected you?”
“No one.”
“Who gave you the house where you raised Lily?”
Elena’s silence answered him.
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“You lied.”
“I had to.”
“You always have an excuse.”
She looked at him.
“And you always assume the worst.”
“Because five years ago, you gave me every reason to.”
Elena flinched.
Adrian immediately regretted the words.
But before he could apologize, the study door opened.
One of his guards entered.
“Alpha.”
“What?”
“We found something in the eastern woods.”
The guard placed a small black box on the desk.
Adrian opened it.
Inside was an old silver necklace.
Elena immediately recognized it.
Her mother’s necklace.
She touched it with trembling fingers.
“Where did you find this?”
“At the site of the attack.”
Adrian stared at Elena.
“Your mother.”
Elena shook her head.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because she gave this to me the night before she died.”
Adrian looked at the necklace.
“Then someone wants you to believe she’s alive.”
Elena’s face went pale.
“Or…”
She whispered,
“She really is.”
—
