Alexandra sat cross-legged on Liam’s couch, the photograph trembling in her hands. The faded image of her parents, her uncle, and the mysterious woman with a baby stared back at her. Her mind raced with questions she couldn’t answer.
She looked up at Liam, who was seated beside her, his brows furrowed in concern. “I think my uncle might’ve had a child,” she said softly, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Liam’s eyes widened, and he leaned forward, his hand resting on her knee. “What? Are you sure?”
Alexandra shook her head, her dark hair falling over her face. “I don’t know. Look at this.” She held out the photograph, pointing to the woman and the baby. “Who else could they be? Nana says it might’ve been a maid and her child, but this doesn’t feel right, Liam. Why would they be in a family photo like this?”
Liam stared at the photo, his hazel eyes scanning it carefully. He pressed his lips into a thin line, as if deep in thought. “It… it does look suspicious,” he said slowly, though his stomach twisted. His mind screamed to stay calm, but his heart raced with panic. She’s getting too close.
“What if this baby is my cousin?” Alexandra whispered, her voice breaking. “Why wouldn’t Nana tell me? Why keep this from me?”
“Maybe it’s nothing, Alex,” Liam said gently, though his hands clenched into fists in his lap. “It could be a coincidence. Your Nana’s memory isn’t what it used to be.”
“But what if it’s not?” Alexandra’s voice rose. “What if there’s someone out there who’s just like me? What if they’re the reason my uncle is so determined to destroy everything? I have to find out.”
Liam placed his hand over hers, his touch warm and steady. “You don’t have to do this alone, Alex. You have me. We’ll figure this out together, okay?”
Alexandra looked at him, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Thank you, Liam. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Later that night, Alexandra returned to her room and resumed her search through the old belongings her grandmother had hidden away. The leather journal she had read earlier sat on the bed, its pages marked with her father’s sharp handwriting. She placed it aside, digging through the bottom of the box until her fingers grazed something thin and papery.
Pulling it out, she unfolded a letter, the edges yellowed with age. Her father’s handwriting greeted her again, but this time, the words were different.
Her eyes scanned the page, her chest tightening with every line:
“Betrayal is everywhere, even where you least expect it. Trust is the deadliest weapon. Protect Alexandra at all costs—she is the future.”
Alexandra’s hands shook as she read the words again, her father’s warning ringing in her ears. Trust is the deadliest weapon.
She sank onto the bed, clutching the letter to her chest. Her father’s words felt like a knife, carving doubt into her heart. Who could she trust? Was anyone truly on her side?
The next morning, Alexandra sat by Nana Lea’s bedside. Her grandmother’s frail figure seemed smaller than ever, her breaths shallow and labored.
“Nana,” Alexandra began, her voice trembling. “Did my father know this would happen? Did he know I’d be left alone?”
Nana Lea opened her eyes slowly, a weak smile playing on her lips. “Your father loved you more than anything, child. He only wanted to keep you safe.”
“But he wrote about betrayal,” Alexandra said, showing her the letter. “He warned me not to trust anyone. What does that mean?”
Nana’s face fell, her tired eyes clouding with sadness. “Your father had many enemies, Alexandra. Even those who once called themselves family turned against him in the end. He feared they would come for you too.”
Alexandra’s throat tightened. “So, he didn’t trust anyone?”
Nana reached for her hand, her grip weak but comforting. “Trust is difficult when so much is at stake. But not everyone is your enemy, child. You just have to see who’s truly loyal to you.”
Later that afternoon, Alexandra stepped outside, only to find Agor waiting for her.
“Not again,” she muttered under her breath, her jaw tightening as she approached him.
Agor’s silver-gray eyes locked on her, his expression unusually serious. “Alexandra, we need to talk.”
She folded her arms, glaring at him. “About what? Another vague warning? I don’t want to hear it, Agor.”
He stepped closer, his voice low but urgent. “You’re being used, Alexandra. Open your eyes before it’s too late.”
She froze, his words striking a nerve. “What are you talking about?”
“You’re trusting people who don’t deserve it,” he said, his voice rough. “People who will destroy you the moment they get the chance.”
Her chest tightened, anger bubbling inside her. “You mean like you? You’re working for my uncle, remember? You’re the last person I’m going to trust.”
“It’s not what you think,” Agor said, his expression pained. “I—”
“No!” Alexandra cut him off, her voice shaking. “I’ve had enough of your lies, Agor. Just stay away from me!”
Without waiting for a response, she stormed past him, her fists clenched.
That evening, Alexandra found herself back at Liam’s apartment. She slumped onto the couch, exhaustion and frustration weighing her down.
“I feel like I’m losing my mind,” she confessed, her voice trembling.
Liam knelt in front of her, gently brushing a tear from her cheek. “You’re not losing your mind, Alex. You’ve been through so much, but you’re stronger than you think.”
She nodded, her walls beginning to crumble. “Thank you, Liam. You’re the only one I can count on.”
Later that night, after Alexandra left, Liam pulled out his phone. His hands were steady as he typed a message, his face devoid of emotion.
“The child has been found.”