CHAPTER 7
681 Words
The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
Brielle couldn't sleep.
The words kept looping: Your mother is alive.
Siege sat on the edge of her bed, fully dressed, like he’d been watching the door all night.
“You don't have to believe him,” he said quietly.
“But what if it's true?”
“Then we'll find her.”
“We?”
“Yes.”
She looked at him. Dark circles under his eyes. g*n under the pillow.
“Why?”
“Because I don't want you doing this alone.”
She smiled, small and tired. “You're becoming sentimental.”
“Don't tell anyone.”
She laughed. The sound broke the tension.
Their faces were close. The room was dark except for the hallway light. For a second, neither moved.
Then Siege kissed her.
It was gentle. Careful. Like he was afraid she’d break.
Brielle froze.
He pulled away immediately. “I'm sorry.”
She grabbed his collar. “Don't apologize.”
And kissed him again.
When they separated, both were breathing hard.
Brielle whispered: “This is a terrible idea.”
“Probably.”
“I'm your doctor.”
“Yes.”
“You're my patient.”
“Occasionally.”
“And you're a mafia boss.”
“Yes.”
She sighed. “I have terrible taste in men.”
Siege smiled. “Apparently.”
🎭
The next morning, Caspian called.
“I found something. An old private clinic outside Quezon. Registered to a shell company. It matches your mother's maiden name.”
They went.
The clinic was abandoned. Dust, broken chairs, medical charts rotting in cabinets.
Inside a locked office they found a box.
Brielle’s birth certificate. Her mother’s name: Elena Arias.
And a sealed Manila envelope. Stamped:
PROJECT GOLDEN MASK.
Caspian opened it.
Inside was a photo.
A little girl, maybe 8 years old. Pigtails, scraped knee, wearing the same golden pendant Brielle still wore.
Beside her, a boy with stormy eyes. Holding her hand.
Siege.
Brielle stared. “I really knew him.”
Siege touched the photo, thumb brushing over her small face. “My father was protecting you.”
“Why?”
A voice from the doorway answered.
“Because your father betrayed him.”
Everyone turned.
A woman stood there. Late 40s. Elegant coat. Hair pulled back. Eyes exactly like Brielle’s.
Alive.
Brielle stopped breathing.
“Mom?”
The woman smiled, and tears immediately filled her eyes. “Hello, Brielle.”
Brielle ran. They crashed together.
“You're alive.”
“I had to disappear.”
“You let me believe you were dead!”
“I was protecting you.”
“From what?”
Elena looked past her daughter. To Siege.
“From him.”
Siege stepped forward. “Why?”
“Because your father wanted Brielle’s inheritance.”
Brielle frowned. “My inheritance?”
Elena nodded. “Your father wasn't just a doctor.”
“What was he?”
“He was one of the founders of the organization behind the Golden Mask.”
Siege’s jaw tightened. “The Masquerade.”
Elena nodded. “Yes.”
Caspian looked at Siege. “You knew?”
“No.”
Elena continued. “Your father discovered the Masquerade was planning to assassinate political leaders. Start a war. So he stole their ledger and hid it.”
“Why me?”
“Because your father hid the evidence inside you.”
Brielle stared. “What?”
“Not physically.” Elena reached out and touched the small golden pendant at Brielle’s throat. “Inside this.”
Brielle looked down. She’d worn it since she was six.
Her hands shook as she opened it.
Inside, a tiny microchip.
Siege stared. “The evidence.”
Elena nodded. “Everything the Masquerade needs to destroy governments, corporations, and your family.”
Silence.
Then—
Click.
The lights went out.
From the dark hallway, a voice. Smooth. Female.
“Take the doctor.”
Charmaine gasped. Caspian drew his weapon. Siege moved in front of Brielle instantly.
But it was too late.
The Golden Mask had come for her.
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