Whispers of the past
471 Words
The morning sun spilled softly into Aurora’s room, but sleep eluded her. The victory over Elliott was only the first battle—beneath the surface, darker secrets churned, threatening to unravel everything she and Adrian had fought for.
A sudden knock at the door broke her thoughts.
It was Jasper, Adrian’s loyal dog, tail wagging, with a small envelope tied delicately to his collar.
Curious, Aurora untied the note.
> Meet me in the east garden. Midnight. Alone.
No signature.
Her heart skipped. Who could it be? An ally? Or a trap?
Midnight found Aurora stepping quietly through the estate’s shadows, the garden bathed in moonlight and mystery. She approached a figure waiting by the fountain—a woman with silver-streaked hair and eyes sharp as a hawk.
“Who are you?” Aurora asked cautiously.
The woman smiled faintly. “Call me Evelyn. I knew your mother.”
Aurora’s breath caught. “You knew her?”
Evelyn nodded. “More than you know. Your mother’s death wasn’t an accident. It was tied to this family—your father’s business—and the Moores.”
Aurora’s heart thundered. “Why tell me now?”
“Because you’re the only one left who can set things right.”
Evelyn handed her a worn leather-bound journal. “This belonged to your mother. Inside are truths hidden for years.”
Back in her room, Aurora opened the journal. Pages filled with her mother’s careful handwriting revealed a story of love, betrayal, and a fight against those who wanted to control more than just companies.
The deeper Aurora read, the more she understood the dangerous legacy she had inherited—and the strength she would need to break free.
The next morning, she confronted her father.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she demanded, voice shaking.
Mr. Bennett avoided her gaze. “I wanted to protect you.”
“Protect me from what?”
He sighed. “From the truth that would have destroyed you—and this family.”
Aurora’s eyes burned with pain and anger. “I deserve to know.”
He looked defeated. “Your mother was brave. She tried to fight them all. But in the end… she lost.”
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That evening, Aurora found Adrian in the library.
She handed him the journal. “There’s more to this family than either of us imagined.”
He flipped through the pages, eyes darkening with every word.
“We’re not just fighting for a company or a marriage,” he said quietly. “We’re fighting for a legacy built on lies.”
Aurora nodded. “And it’s time to rewrite the story.”
Together, they steeled themselves for the battles ahead—knowing the whispers of the past could either destroy them or set them free.
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End of Chapter Eleven
- Writer
