Chapter 12: The Last Secret of Isabella
Alexander looked at Lily.
She was frightened.
But she wasn't crying.
That reminded him of Isabella.
His sister had always been brave.
Even when the world was against her.
“Lily.”
He spoke calmly.
“Look at me.”
The girl looked up.
“Are you scared?”
She nodded.
“But Mommy told me something.”
Alexander swallowed.
“What?”
“She said bad people always win when good people stay quiet.”
Richard's expression changed.
Because he realized Lily was not as helpless as he thought.
Alexander looked at Richard.
“You underestimated her.”
Richard laughed.
“She is a child.”
“No.”
Alexander stepped forward.
“She is Isabella's daughter.”
Suddenly, the lights turned on.
Security officers entered the archive.
Richard turned.
“What is this?”
Alexander calmly held up his phone.
“You should ask yourself a better question.”
Richard stared.
“What?”
“How long have you been recorded?”
The room went silent.
Alexander revealed the phone.
Everything Richard said.
Every confession.
Every admission.
Was recorded.
Richard's face changed.
“You planned this?”
Alexander shook his head.
“No.”
He looked at Lily.
“She did.”
Everyone turned.
Lily reached into her pocket.
And pulled out a tiny recording device.
Maria had given it to her.
Before she was taken.
Because Isabella's friend knew exactly what kind of people they were dealing with.
Richard stepped backward.
“This changes nothing.”
Alexander looked at him.
“It changes everything.”
The archive doors opened.
Police officers entered.
Behind them...
Was another person.
An older woman.
Alexander froze.
Because he recognized her.
From every childhood memory.
From every family photograph.
From every story Isabella told him.
His grandmother.
The former head of the Valemont family.
She looked at Richard.
“You destroyed my granddaughter's life.”
Richard's face went pale.
“Mother…”
The old woman walked forward.
“And you almost destroyed her daughter.”
She looked at Lily.
Then tears filled her eyes.
“Isabella's child.”
For twenty years, everyone believed Isabella was gone.
But now...
May you like
Her daughter had returned.
And the entire world was about to learn the truth.
