BLACK WOOD MANOR
1280 Words
The gates of Blackwood Manor opened slowly.
Emma stared through the car window as the massive iron gates separated, revealing a long driveway surrounded by tall trees.
She had seen pictures of the Blackwood estate before.
None of them had prepared her for the feeling that came over her now.
It didn't feel like a home.
It felt like a place that had been waiting for her.
Alexander drove in without saying a word.
Daniel sat in the back seat, unusually quiet.
Emma held the envelope from the hospital tightly in her lap.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Daniel finally asked.
“No,” Alexander replied.
Emma looked at him.
“Then why are we here?”
“Because you won't stop until you know the truth.”
She gave him a tired smile.
“At least you understand me.”
Alexander glanced at her.
“I've been trying to.”
Their eyes met for a moment.
Then he looked away.
The car stopped in front of the mansion.
Emma stepped outside.
The huge building stood against the morning sky, its dark windows reflecting the pale sunlight. It was beautiful, but there was something unsettling about it.
Daniel remained beside the car.
“I haven't been here since the night Michael disappeared.”
Emma looked at him.
“What happened that night?”
Daniel's expression darkened.
“I was supposed to meet your mother here.”
“Why?”
“She had discovered something.”
“What?”
“She never got the chance to tell me.”
Alexander walked toward them.
“Then let's find out.”
They entered the mansion.
The inside was just as impressive as the outside—marble floors, expensive paintings, crystal lights and furniture that looked untouched for years.
Emma stopped near the staircase.
“Why does it feel like nobody lives here?”
Alexander looked around.
“My father kept this part of the house closed after he disappeared.”
“Why?”
“I never asked.”
Daniel gave him a strange look.
“You were afraid of the answer.”
Alexander's jaw tightened.
“Maybe.”
Emma walked toward a large painting hanging above the fireplace.
It showed Michael Blackwood standing beside a younger Sophia.
Her mother was smiling.
But Emma noticed something strange.
Sophia was holding a baby.
Emma stepped closer.
“That's me.”
Daniel came beside her.
“Yes.”
Alexander looked at the painting.
“I've never seen this.”
Emma turned.
“You're saying you've never seen a painting of your father and my mother?”
“No.”
Daniel pointed toward the corner.
“Look.”
Emma followed his finger.
A small black rose had been painted onto the frame.
The same symbol from the pendant.
Emma touched it.
A section of the frame moved.
She pulled her hand back.
“What was that?”
Alexander stepped forward.
He pressed the frame.
Nothing happened.
Then he tried again.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside was a small key.
Emma stared at it.
Alexander picked it up.
There was a number engraved on it.
314.
“Room 314?” Emma asked.
Daniel shook his head.
“This house doesn't have room numbers.”
Alexander looked toward the hallway.
“There is one place that might.”
He led them through a corridor and stopped in front of an old wooden door.
Emma noticed the number carved into it.
314.
Her heart began pounding.
Alexander inserted the key.
The lock clicked.
The door opened.
Dust filled the air.
The room was small and almost completely empty.
Except for a desk.
Emma walked toward it.
There was an old leather box sitting on top.
Her name was written across it.
EMMA.
She stared at Alexander.
“Someone left this for me.”
Alexander nodded.
“Open it.”
Emma hesitated.
Then she lifted the lid.
Inside were several documents, an old hospital bracelet and a photograph.
She picked up the photograph first.
It showed her mother holding a newborn baby.
Beside her stood Michael Blackwood.
And beside Michael stood Daniel.
Emma's breath caught.
“Why are all three of you here?”
Daniel stepped forward.
His face had gone pale.
“I've never seen this picture.”
Emma turned it over.
There was a date.
October 14.
Below it, someone had written:
THE NIGHT EVERYTHING CHANGED.
Emma picked up one of the documents.
Her eyes moved across the page.
Then she froze.
“What is it?”
She couldn't speak.
Alexander took the document.
It was an original birth record.
The name of the mother was clearly written.
Sophia Carter.
But beneath it, the father's name had been blacked out.
Emma's hands trembled.
“Why would someone hide my father's name?”
Daniel looked at the document.
“I don't know.”
Emma picked up another paper.
This one was a letter.
She unfolded it.
Michael,
If you are reading this, then they have already found out about the child.
She cannot stay here.
They will use her against you.
Take her away before October 14.
There was no signature.
Emma looked at Alexander.
“Who wrote this?”
“I don't know.”
Daniel's eyes were fixed on the letter.
“I've seen that handwriting before.”
Emma turned toward him.
“Whose?”
Daniel swallowed.
“Your mother's.”
Silence.
Emma read the letter again.
Then something caught her attention.
There was another sentence written underneath, almost invisible.
She tilted the paper toward the light.
If anything happens to me, don't let Alexander know the truth.
Emma slowly looked at Alexander.
His expression changed.
“What?”
She handed him the letter.
He read the sentence.
His face became completely still.
Daniel stepped back.
Emma looked between them.
“Why would my mother tell Michael not to tell you?”
Alexander shook his head.
“I don't know.”
“But someone wanted to keep you away from the truth.”
He looked at her.
“Emma, I swear I don't know what this means.”
Before she could answer, a sound came from outside.
A door slammed.
Alexander immediately turned.
“Stay here.”
He left the room.
Emma followed him.
“Alexander!”
Daniel grabbed her arm.
“Wait.”
They heard footsteps moving quickly down the hallway.
Alexander disappeared around the corner.
Then came a crash.
Emma's heart jumped.
“Alexander!”
She ran toward the sound.
Daniel followed.
They reached the main hallway.
Alexander was standing beside the front door.
But he wasn't alone.
An elderly woman stood in front of him.
She looked at Emma.
Her eyes widened.
Then she whispered,
“You look exactly like your mother.”
Emma stopped.
“Who are you?”
The woman looked frightened.
“My name is Margaret.”
She glanced at Daniel.
Then at Alexander.
And finally back at Emma.
“I worked for the Blackwood family for thirty years.”
Her voice trembled.
“And I was here the night you were born.”
Emma's heart pounded.
“What happened that night?”
Margaret looked toward the locked room behind them.
Then she whispered,
“Your mother didn't come here to hide you.”
She took a shaky breath.
“She came here because someone was trying to take you.”
Emma felt the blood drain from her face.
“Who?”
Margaret looked directly at Alexander.
“His father.”
Alexander froze.
Margaret continued quietly,
“Michael Blackwood was trying to save you from the person who wanted you dead.”
Then she looked at Emma.
“And that person was someone you have already met.”
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