Charlotte
732 Words
Charlotte sent an address.
An abandoned theater.
Alexander insisted they wait for security.
Emily refused.
“If she has Eleanor, she’s going to kill her.”
Victoria nodded.
“We have to go.”
Alexander looked at both women.
“I hate this plan.”
Emily smiled.
“You’ll survive.”
“That’s what you said before the warehouse.”
“And you survived.”
“Because of you.”
She looked at him.
“Then stay close.”
The theater was dark.
Old posters covered the walls.
Emily stepped inside.
“Charlotte?”
No answer.
Then the lights came on.
A woman stood on the stage.
Emily stopped.
She looked remarkably like their mother.
Same eyes.
Same smile.
But older than the twins.
Charlotte.
Beside her sat Eleanor.
Alive.
Terrified.
“Let her go.”
Charlotte smiled.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this moment.”
Victoria stepped forward.
“Why did you take her?”
“Because Alexander needs to know the truth.”
“What truth?”
Charlotte looked at him.
“Your first fiancée was never your enemy.”
Alexander stared.
“I know.”
Charlotte shook her head.
“No. You don’t.”
She pointed toward Eleanor.
“Eleanor discovered the truth three years ago.”
Eleanor nodded.
“She found out about Edward.”
Alexander stepped closer.
“What happened the night of the accident?”
Eleanor answered.
“I was supposed to meet Victoria.”
Emily listened.
“Why?”
“She had evidence.”
“Against Edward?”
“Yes.”
Eleanor looked at Alexander.
“But your grandfather’s lawyer knew we were meeting.”
Charlotte interrupted.
“Edward sent someone.”
“Who?”
Eleanor’s eyes filled with tears.
“Your assistant.”
Daniel.
Emily’s stomach dropped.
“But Daniel said—”
“He lied.”
Charlotte nodded.
“He has been working for Edward for years.”
Alexander shook his head.
“No.”
Eleanor looked at him.
“Daniel sabotaged your relationships because Edward ordered him to keep you emotionally isolated.”
Emily’s heart sank.
“He told us he was protecting you.”
“He was protecting Edward.”
Alexander’s hands curled into fists.
Then Charlotte stepped closer.
“But Daniel wasn’t the person who ordered the accident.”
“Who was?”
Charlotte looked at Emily.
“Your father.”
Emily stopped breathing.
“No.”
Richard’s betrayal had already destroyed her.
But this was worse.
“He didn’t order it,” Charlotte continued. “He gave them your location.”
Emily shook her head.
“Why?”
“Because Edward promised to save your mother.”
Silence.
“Our mother?”
Charlotte nodded.
“She was alive.”
Emily’s knees weakened.
“Where is she?”
Charlotte looked at her.
“Dead.”
Emily covered her mouth.
“What?”
“She died six months ago.”
Victoria began crying.
“How?”
“Edward killed her.”
Alexander stepped forward.
“Why?”
“Because she refused to give him the algorithm.”
Charlotte looked at Emily.
“But she left something behind.”
“What?”
Charlotte reached into her coat.
A small silver key.
“This opens the final archive.”
Alexander stared.
“Where?”
Charlotte smiled.
“Blackwood Tower.”
Emily looked at her.
“What is inside?”
“The evidence that will destroy Edward.”
Then a gunshot rang out.
Charlotte collapsed.
“Charlotte!”
Emily ran toward her.
Blood spread across Charlotte’s chest.
Eleanor screamed.
Alexander pulled Emily down.
“Everyone stay down!”
Security rushed into the theater.
The shooter had vanished.
Emily crawled toward Charlotte.
“Stay with me.”
Charlotte’s eyes fluttered.
She grabbed Emily’s hand.
“Your mother…”
Emily leaned closer.
“What?”
Charlotte whispered:
“She left a message for you.”
“What message?”
Charlotte smiled weakly.
“She said…the truth is in the bride’s room.”
Emily froze.
The bride’s room.
Victoria’s wedding room.
The room where this nightmare had begun.
Charlotte’s eyes closed.
Emily screamed for help.
Alexander pulled her into his arms.
“She’s alive.”
Emily cried against his chest.
Then Alexander whispered:
“We’re going home.”
But neither of them knew that someone was already waiting for them at the mansion.
Someone who knew exactly where the final archive was.
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