Chapter 6 — The Mysterious Stranger
999 Words
Amelia stared at Alexander.
“Because of me?”
Alexander didn't answer immediately.
The car continued through the busy streets, leaving the Blackwood mansion farther behind.
“What does that mean?” Amelia demanded.
Alexander glanced at her through the rearview mirror.
“It means your father died protecting something.”
“What?”
“You.”
Amelia's heart pounded.
“That doesn't make sense.”
“I know.”
“Then explain it.”
Alexander turned onto a quiet road.
“Your father discovered that someone was trying to take control of his family's fortune. Before he could stop them, he disappeared.”
“My father died in an accident.”
“That is what you were told.”
Amelia went silent.
Alexander continued.
“The accident was staged.”
Her fingers tightened around the edge of her seat.
“Who staged it?”
“I don't know yet.”
“But you said you knew the truth.”
“I know enough to tell you that the official story is a lie.”
Amelia looked out the window.
For years, she'd believed her father had died because of a tragic accident.
Now everything she believed was falling apart.
“Why are you helping me?”
Alexander's expression changed.
“Because your father once saved mine.”
Amelia looked at him.
“What?”
“My father owed yours a debt.”
“And now you're paying it?”
“Something like that.”
Meanwhile...
Damian stood in Amelia's empty bedroom.
Her suitcase was gone.
The note was still on the table.
He read it again.
Please don't look for me.
His hand tightened around the paper.
His assistant entered.
“Sir, we've checked every airport and train station.”
“Nothing?”
“Nothing.”
Damian turned.
“Find her.”
“We're trying.”
“No.”
His voice became dangerously calm.
“I'm not asking you to try.”
His assistant swallowed.
“Understood.”
Then his phone rang.
An unknown number.
Damian answered.
“Who is this?”
A man's voice replied.
“You're looking for your wife.”
Damian's eyes narrowed.
“Where is she?”
“Safe.”
“Put her on the phone.”
A quiet laugh.
“You really don't recognize my voice?”
Damian froze.
“Alexander.”
“Good. You remembered.”
Damian's expression became cold.
“If you've hurt her—”
“I haven't.”
“Then bring her back.”
“No.”
Damian stood.
“Why?”
“Because you had three years to protect her.”
Silence.
Alexander continued.
“And you failed.”
The call ended.
Damian stared at the phone.
His assistant looked nervous.
“Sir?”
Damian slowly looked up.
“Find everything you can about Alexander Kane.”
“Everything?”
“His family. His father. His business. His past.”
He paused.
“And find out what happened between his father and mine.”
Somewhere outside the city...
The car stopped at a large countryside estate.
Amelia stepped out.
She looked around.
“Where are we?”
“My family's old house.”
“Why bring me here?”
Alexander opened the front door.
“Because nobody knows this place exists.”
Amelia followed him inside.
The house was beautiful but strangely old.
Alexander walked toward a locked study.
He entered a code.
The door opened.
Inside were shelves filled with documents and photographs.
He pulled out a dusty box.
“This belonged to my father.”
Amelia stared at it.
“What am I looking for?”
Alexander opened the box.
At the bottom was a small envelope.
Her name was written on it.
AMELIA CARTER.
She stopped breathing.
“Why is my name on that?”
Alexander handed it to her.
“Because your father left it for you.”
Amelia's hands trembled.
She opened the envelope.
Inside was a single handwritten letter.
She recognized the handwriting immediately.
Her father's.
Her eyes filled with tears.
She began reading.
My dearest Amelia,
If you're reading this, then I wasn't able to protect you.
There is something I've hidden from you all your life.
You are not who you think you are.
Your real identity must remain secret.
Trust no one from the Blackwood family.
And whatever happens...
Never let Damian discover who you really are.
Amelia dropped the letter.
Her entire body went cold.
She looked at Alexander.
“What does this mean?”
Alexander didn't answer.
Instead, he walked to a cabinet and pulled out an old photograph.
He placed it on the desk.
Amelia picked it up.
It showed her father.
Her mother.
A much younger Victoria Blackwood.
And a little girl.
Amelia stared at the child.
The girl looked exactly like her.
Her voice trembled.
“That's me.”
Alexander nodded.
“Yes.”
“But why was Victoria there?”
Alexander looked at her.
“Because she was there the night you were born.”
Amelia's heart stopped.
“What are you saying?”
Alexander's voice dropped.
“Your mother wasn't supposed to survive your birth.”
Amelia covered her mouth.
“No…”
“And your father didn't disappear because of an accident.”
Alexander looked directly into her eyes.
“He disappeared because he discovered the truth about your birth.”
Before Amelia could respond, her phone suddenly rang.
Damian.
She stared at the screen.
Alexander's expression hardened.
“Don't answer.”
Amelia hesitated.
Then the phone stopped.
A second later, a message appeared.
Amelia, I know where you are.
Please come home.
You are in more danger than you realize.
Amelia looked up.
“How does he know?”
Alexander's face went pale.
“He shouldn't.”
Then a gunshot shattered the window.
BANG!
Alexander grabbed Amelia and pulled her to the floor.
Glass exploded across the room.
He looked toward the broken window.
Someone was standing outside.
Watching them.
And in his hand was another gun.
To be continued...
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