CHAPTER 2 — “The Photograph That Shouldn’t Exist”
Victoria left the table without a word.
Too fast.
Too controlled.
Like someone escaping a collapsing room.
Mr. Hale followed.
Chloe stayed behind—but something inside her wouldn’t let her sit still anymore.
Minutes later, she found it.
A locked drawer in the private study.
She didn’t know why she tried.
But it opened easily.
Inside—
A photograph.
Chloe’s hands trembled.
It showed a younger Victoria… holding two newborn baby girls.
Both wearing identical silver anklets.
On the back, handwritten:
“If anything happens to us, keep them apart.”
Chloe’s breath stopped.
Behind her, a voice spoke coldly.
“You shouldn’t have seen that.”
Victoria.
Standing in the doorway.
Her face was pale now.
Not angry.
Not controlled.
But terrified in a way no one had ever seen.
May you like
Because secrets don’t stay buried.
They grow teeth.
