The atmosphere in the study was suffocating as Victoria sat on the edge of the couch, wringing her hands. Her face was pale, and her usually steady voice wavered as she spoke. “Xanos isn’t just dangerous. He’s… he’s the man who made my life a living hell all those years ago.”
Alessia and Zane froze, exchanging stunned glances. Christian, standing by the desk, straightened, his brows furrowing. “What do you mean, Victoria?” he asked cautiously.
Victoria hesitated, her hands trembling. “I didn’t want to bring this up now, not with everything else going on, but… you deserve to know the truth.”
“Mom, what truth?” Alessia demanded, her voice sharp with urgency. “What are you talking about?”
Victoria took a deep breath, her eyes meeting Alessia’s. “Xanos… he’s the man who kidnapped you when you were just born.”
The room went silent as Alessia’s jaw dropped. “I was kidnapped?!” she exclaimed, her voice shaking. “What are you talking about? You’ve never told me this!”
Victoria’s voice cracked as she tried to explain. “It was right after you were born. Zayden and I were so happy, so in love with you. But Xanos—he was already furious with your father for exposing his crimes. He wanted revenge, and he thought the best way to hurt us was to take you.”
Alessia sank into a nearby chair, her mind reeling. “This can’t be real. You never said a word about this.”
“We didn’t want to burden you with it,” Victoria said softly, tears welling in her eyes. “We got you back, Alessia. That’s all that mattered. But it was the worst time of my life.”
Zane, who had been pacing near the window, turned to his mother, his fists clenched. “And you think he’s back now, trying to finish what he started?”
Victoria nodded, her voice trembling. “It makes sense. Zayden took everything from him—his freedom, his reputation. Xanos wanted to destroy us then, and he still does.”
Christian, who had been listening silently, suddenly stiffened as his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, and his face darkened. “I just got a message,” he said, his voice tight.
“What does it say?” Alessia asked, her heart pounding.
Christian turned the screen toward them, his voice low and grim as he read aloud. “I want my daughter, and you get your man.”