Chapter 15.
Thick dust clung to Elara's fingertips as she dragged a large box from the corner of the storage room. The room was stuffy, the smell of damp wood mixed with worn paper making it feel claustrophobic. The chandelier swayed softly, its light dimming and reflecting the shadows of old items that seemed to hold secrets.
Initially, Elara had only intended to get some cool air, away from the hustle and bustle of Vale's extended family. However, curiosity drove her to open box after box, as if there was something waiting for her there. Amongst the dull fabrics and broken frames, her eyes fell on a leather-bound photo album cracked at the edges.
Her hand trembled as she opened the first page. A black-and-white photograph greeted him. a family party, smiling stiffly in front of an old
