ENEMIES THEN LOVER

CHAPTER 8

THE SECRET MY MOTHER HIDE

"Stay away from Adrian Blackwood."

Her mother's words kept echoing in Elena's head long after the call ended.

She stared at her phone, hoping her mother would call back and explain everything.

But nothing happened.

"Elena?"

Adrian's voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

She looked at him slowly.

"Don't."

He frowned. "Don't what?"

"Don't say my name like you care about me when you clearly know something about my family that I don't."

Pain crossed his face.

"I do care about you."

"Then prove it. Tell me what happened to my father."

Adrian looked away.

Elena let out a shaky laugh.

"Of course. Another secret."

"Elena, I don't know the whole story. I only know what my father told me."

"And what exactly did he tell you?"

Adrian hesitated before answering.

"He said your father stole something from our family years ago. After that, everything fell apart."

Elena stared at him.

"My father was many things, but he wasn't a thief."

"I never said he was."

"Then why are you repeating a story you don't even know is true?"

Adrian had no answer.

Elena picked up her handbag.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Home. I need to speak to my mother."

"I'll take you."

She turned sharply.

"No. You've done enough."

"Please, Elena. Don't shut me out."

She looked at him, her eyes filled with disappointment.

"You shut me out first, Adrian."

Then she walked past him.

This time, he didn't stop her.

---

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE DOOR

When Elena arrived home, she found her mother sitting in the living room.

An old wooden box rested on the table in front of her.

Her mother looked up, and the moment their eyes met, Elena knew she had been expecting her.

"Mum, we need to talk."

Her mother nodded slowly.

"I know."

Elena sat opposite her.

"Who is Adrian Blackwood's father?"

Her mother's face went pale.

"Why are you asking me that?"

"Because Adrian told me our families have a history. Nora said you know something about the Blackwoods. And now you're telling me to stay away from him without explaining why!"

Her mother closed her eyes.

For a moment, the room was silent.

Then she reached for the wooden box and opened it.

Inside were several old photographs, folded letters, and a newspaper clipping.

She handed Elena one of the photographs.

Elena's breath caught.

It showed her father standing beside a younger man who looked remarkably like Adrian.

On the back were two names.

Daniel Carter and Richard Blackwood.

"Who is Richard Blackwood?" Elena whispered.

"Adrian's father," her mother replied.

Elena looked up.

"Why was Dad standing with him?"

Her mother swallowed hard.

"Because they were once best friends."

Elena frowned.

"Then what happened?"

Her mother looked down at the letters.

"Money. Betrayal. And a secret neither of them should ever have discovered."

Elena leaned forward.

"What secret?"

Before her mother could answer, someone knocked at the front door.

Her mother froze.

Three slow knocks.

Then a man's voice called from outside.

"Mrs. Carter? I know Elena is there. We need to talk."

Elena stared at her mother.

"Who is that?"

Her mother grabbed Elena's hand.

"Whatever happens, don't let him take that box."

"Why?"

Her mother looked terrified.

"Because the truth inside it could destroy the Blackwood family."

The knocking grew louder.

"Mrs. Carter! Open the door!"

Elena stood, clutching the box against her chest.

Then her mother whispered something that made her heart stop.

"Elena, your father didn't disappear because of Adrian's family."

She paused, tears filling her eyes.

"He disappeared because he discovered who Adrian really is."

Elena slowly turned toward the door.

And just as she took a step forward, her phone lit up with a message from an unknown number.

Ask Adrian why his father paid someone to keep your father silent.

Elena's hands began to tremble.

Who had sent the message?

And what had really happened to her father?

TO BE CONTINUED…