The man from her past
428 Words
Elena couldn't sleep.
The picture was still on her phone.
A young man standing beside her mother.
The message kept repeating in her mind.
Your father is alive.
For years, she had accepted that her father was gone.
But now everything had changed.
She needed answers.
---
The next morning, Adrian arrived at Elena's apartment.
She opened the door and looked surprised.
"What are you doing here?"
"I came to make sure you're safe."
Elena crossed her arms.
"You can't just appear whenever you want, Adrian."
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You're right."
It was the first time she had seen him look almost human.
Not like the cold billionaire everyone feared.
Just a man carrying too many secrets.
Elena handed him the picture.
"Who is he?"
Adrian looked at it.
His face immediately became serious.
"I don't know."
She studied his expression.
"You're lying."
Adrian looked away.
"I've seen this man before."
"Where?"
He hesitated.
"In my family's old records."
Elena's heart raced.
"Then tell me the truth."
Adrian looked at her.
"The man in this picture may be connected to why your mother disappeared."
---
Later that day, Adrian took Elena to the Vale family archives.
The room was filled with old documents, photographs, and forgotten memories.
"This place contains every secret my family tried to hide," Adrian explained.
Elena looked around.
"And you expect me to trust the family that kept me in the dark?"
Adrian didn't argue.
"I don't blame you."
His honesty surprised her.
They searched through old files until Elena found a document with her mother's name.
She opened it carefully.
Inside was a letter.
Her mother's handwriting.
Adrian,
If Elena ever finds this, it means the truth can no longer stay hidden. Protect her. The person you trust most is the person who betrayed us.
Elena looked up.
"Adrian..."
He read the words silently.
Then his expression changed.
Because he knew exactly who the letter was talking about.
---
Suddenly, the lights went out.
The room fell into darkness.
Elena heard a sound behind her.
Someone was inside.
"Adrian?"
"I'm here."
He moved closer, protecting her.
A shadow passed near the doorway.
Then a voice whispered:
"You should have left the past alone."
The lights came back on.
The person was gone.
But on the table was a new message.
A single piece of paper.
Three words written in black ink:
I AM ALIVE.
Elena stared at the message.
Adrian looked at her.
Neither of them spoke.
Because they both knew one thing.
Someone from the past had returned.
- Writer
