Chapter 8: The Truth Hidden Beneath the Family Name
Alexander couldn't move.
The name stared back at him.
Richard Valemont.
His uncle.
His father's closest advisor.
The man who raised him after Isabella disappeared.
The man who comforted him.
The man who told him:
"Some people leave because they don't love you enough."
Alexander remembered those words.
And suddenly they felt different.
Not comforting.
Cruel.
Because Richard had used his pain against him.
That evening, Alexander confronted Richard.
The old man sat calmly in the private study.
Almost as if he expected this moment.
“You found the documents.”
Alexander closed the door.
“You killed Daniel.”
Richard didn't react.
“You are making dangerous accusations.”
“No.”
Alexander placed the payment record on the desk.
“I am uncovering what you buried.”
Richard looked at the paper.
Then smiled.
A cold smile.
“You were always too emotional, Alexander.”
Alexander's eyes narrowed.
“You destroyed my sister.”
Richard leaned back.
“Your sister destroyed herself.”
The words made Alexander furious.
“She loved someone.”
“She betrayed the family.”
“She was a person!”
Richard slammed his hand on the table.
“No!”
The room shook.
“She was a Valemont!”
Silence.
Richard stood.
“Our family survived because we understood one thing.”
He pointed toward the mansion.
“This name is bigger than any individual.”
Alexander stared at him.
“And Lily?”
Richard's face hardened.
“She is a threat.”
The words confirmed everything.
Alexander stepped closer.
“She is your own blood.”
Richard laughed quietly.
“Blood means nothing when power is involved.”
Behind the door...
Someone was listening.
Lily.
She had heard everything.
She stood frozen.
Tears slowly falling.
Because for the first time...
She understood why her mother ran.
Alexander opened the door.
He saw her.
His expression immediately changed.
“Lily…”
She looked at him.
“Did my mommy run because they hated her?”
Alexander didn't know what to say.
The truth hurt.
But lying would hurt more.
“Yes.”
The little girl wiped her tears.
“Why?”
Alexander knelt.
“Because she wanted to protect you.”
Lily looked at him.
“My mommy always protected me.”
Alexander nodded.
“And now I will protect you.”
But neither of them noticed...
A shadow watching from the hallway.
Someone else had heard everything.
May you like
And that person wasn't surprised.
Because they already knew Lily existed.
