Chapter 9: The Enemy at the Gate
3433 Words
The explosion shook the mansion.
Amelia screamed.
Adrian’s arms tightened around her as the windows rattled violently.
“Stay behind me.”
His voice was low and commanding.
For once, Amelia didn’t argue.
Another explosion sounded in the distance.
The lights flickered.
Then went out.
Darkness swallowed the mansion.
Outside, alarms screamed.
Security guards shouted.
Footsteps thundered across the marble floors.
Amelia’s heart pounded.
She could barely see Adrian’s face.
But she could feel him standing between her and the danger.
“Adrian.”
“I’m here.”
“What’s happening?”
“I don’t know.”
“That’s not reassuring.”
“Stay close to me.”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed.
“Since when do I take orders from you?”
Adrian looked at her.
“Since people started shooting at you.”
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Fair enough.
A gunshot rang outside.
Amelia flinched.
Adrian immediately reached for her hand.
She froze.
His fingers wrapped around hers.
Warm.
Steady.
Familiar.
For one dangerous second, Amelia forgot they were divorced.
Then she remembered.
She pulled her hand away.
Adrian stared at her.
“Really?”
“What?”
“Now?”
“I’m capable of walking without holding your hand.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Then don’t touch me.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Fine.”
He turned away.
Amelia immediately regretted her tone.
But she refused to apologize.
Not now.
Not after everything.
Damian suddenly appeared beside them.
“We have to move.”
Adrian looked at him.
“Where?”
“The east wing.”
“Why?”
“Because they’re coming through the main entrance.”
Victor’s voice came from the darkness.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
“Not the east wing.”
Damian frowned.
“Why?”
Victor stepped closer.
“Because they’ll expect us to go there.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Then where?”
Victor looked at Amelia.
“There’s an underground passage.”
Amelia stared at him.
“What?”
Victor walked toward a wall.
He pressed his hand against a hidden panel.
A section of the wall opened.
Behind it was a narrow passage.
Amelia stared.
“You have got to be kidding me.”
Victor looked at her.
“Your family has always had escape routes.”
“Of course we did.”
She shook her head.
“Why would a family need secret escape routes?”
Victor gave her a strange look.
“Because powerful families make powerful enemies.”
Adrian glanced at Amelia.
She looked back.
For once, neither of them had a sarcastic response.
Damian moved toward the passage.
“Everyone inside.”
Amelia hesitated.
Victor grabbed her arm.
She looked at him.
“Come.”
She pulled away.
“Don’t touch me.”
Pain crossed his face.
But he nodded.
Amelia stepped into the passage.
Adrian followed immediately.
Damian came behind them.
Victor was the last to enter.
The wall closed.
Darkness surrounded them.
Amelia could hear everyone’s breathing.
Then a light appeared.
Damian had switched on a flashlight.
“How long does this passage go?”
Amelia asked.
“About two hundred meters.”
“Where does it lead?”
“Outside the property.”
Adrian looked at Victor.
“You knew about this?”
Victor nodded.
“Of course.”
“Then why didn’t you use it eight years ago?”
The question made Victor stop.
Silence.
Amelia looked at him.
Adrian had asked what she wanted to know.
Victor finally spoke.
“Because eight years ago, I wasn’t running from the people outside.”
Amelia’s blood ran cold.
“Then who were you running from?”
Victor looked at her.
“Your mother.”
Amelia stopped walking.
“What?”
Victor’s expression was unreadable.
“Your mother was the one who wanted me dead.”
“No.”
“Amelia—”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You’re lying.”
Victor didn’t answer.
“My mother loved you.”
“Love doesn’t stop betrayal.”
“Why would she want you dead?”
“Because she discovered the truth.”
“What truth?”
Victor looked at Adrian.
Then Damian.
“Ask them.”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed.
“What are you talking about?”
Victor continued walking.
Amelia followed.
“Stop!”
He stopped.
She stepped in front of him.
“You are going to tell me the truth.”
Victor looked at his daughter.
For a moment, she saw something in his eyes.
Fear.
Not fear for himself.
Fear for her.
“Not here.”
“Then where?”
“Somewhere safe.”
“I’ve spent my entire life being told I’m not safe.”
Her voice broke.
“Everyone keeps hiding things from me.”
Victor’s face softened.
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
“By making me believe you were dead?”
“Yes.”
“By letting me believe my mother abandoned me?”
“I had no choice.”
“Everyone has a choice.”
Victor stared at her.
“You don’t understand what your mother did.”
“Then make me understand.”
“Amelia.”
“Tell me!”
Her voice echoed through the passage.
Everyone went silent.
Victor took a breath.
“Your mother betrayed the Valmont family.”
“How?”
“She stole something.”
“What?”
“The Valmont legacy.”
Amelia frowned.
“What does that even mean?”
Victor looked at her.
“The Valmont family fortune was never just money.”
Amelia’s expression changed.
“What?”
Victor continued.
“There was something else.”
“Something worth more than money.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“What?”
Victor looked at him.
“That’s the question your family has been trying to answer for decades.”
Adrian’s expression darkened.
“My family?”
“Yes.”
“What does the Sterling family have to do with this?”
Victor’s eyes became cold.
“Everything.”
Amelia looked between them.
“Someone please explain what is happening.”
Victor turned toward Adrian.
“Your family and mine were once allies.”
Adrian remained silent.
“Your grandfather and mine built their empires together.”
Victor continued.
“They shared businesses, investments, and secrets.”
“Then what happened?”
“Your grandfather betrayed mine.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“How?”
“He stole the Valmont legacy.”
Amelia stared at Victor.
“What legacy?”
Victor’s gaze moved toward her.
“Your inheritance.”
Amelia frowned.
“My inheritance is money.”
“No.”
Victor’s voice was firm.
“It’s much more than that.”
“Then what is it?”
Victor didn’t answer.
“Tell me.”
“Not yet.”
Amelia’s eyes flashed.
“Why does everyone keep saying that?”
“Because you’re not ready.”
“I’m tired of hearing that!”
She turned away.
Adrian watched her.
He could see how much the secrets were hurting her.
He knew that feeling.
His entire life had been built on a family legacy he had never questioned.
Now everything was beginning to crack.
A loud sound suddenly echoed through the passage.
Everyone froze.
Footsteps.
Someone was inside the tunnel.
Damian immediately raised his gun.
“Get behind me.”
Amelia looked at him.
“Who is it?”
“I don’t know.”
The footsteps became louder.
Adrian grabbed Amelia’s arm.
“Stay down.”
She pulled away.
“I can protect myself.”
“I know.”
His eyes met hers.
“But let me protect you anyway.”
Amelia froze.
For a moment, she saw the Adrian she used to love.
The man who would stand outside her door when she was sick.
The man who used to hold her hand beneath restaurant tables.
The man who had once whispered that nothing would ever happen to her.
Then she remembered the divorce.
She stepped back.
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
Before he could answer, a shadow appeared at the end of the tunnel.
Damian raised his gun.
“Stop!”
The figure stopped.
A man’s voice echoed through the darkness.
“Don’t shoot.”
Damian’s eyes narrowed.
“Who are you?”
The man stepped into the light.
Adrian’s expression changed.
“Marcus?”
His assistant stood there.
Breathing heavily.
His suit was torn.
Blood stained his forehead.
Adrian immediately lowered his weapon.
“What happened?”
Marcus looked at him.
“They’re inside.”
Adrian’s eyes hardened.
“Who?”
“I don’t know.”
“How did you get here?”
Marcus glanced at Victor.
Then Amelia.
His eyes widened.
“She’s here.”
Amelia frowned.
“What?”
Marcus stared at her.
“You’re Amelia Valmont.”
The words made everyone go silent.
Amelia’s face hardened.
“Who are you?”
Marcus looked confused.
“Sir, you didn’t tell her?”
Adrian frowned.
“Tell her what?”
Marcus’s expression changed.
He looked between Adrian and Amelia.
Then Damian.
Something was wrong.
“Marcus.”
Adrian’s voice became dangerous.
“What are you talking about?”
Marcus swallowed.
“I found the person who has been investigating Amelia.”
Amelia’s heart stopped.
“Who?”
Marcus looked at Adrian.
“Your grandmother.”
Silence.
Adrian went completely still.
“What?”
“She has been monitoring Amelia for years.”
Amelia’s eyes widened.
“Why?”
Marcus hesitated.
“I don’t know.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Tell me everything.”
Marcus took a breath.
“Your grandmother has files on Amelia.”
“How long?”
“Six years.”
Adrian’s expression darkened.
“Since the day I met her?”
Marcus nodded.
“Yes.”
Amelia felt sick.
“Why?”
Marcus looked at her.
“Because your grandmother knew who you were.”
Adrian’s eyes moved toward Amelia.
She looked just as shocked.
Marcus continued.
“She knew you were Amelia Valmont before you married Adrian.”
Amelia’s heart pounded.
“How?”
Marcus shook his head.
“I don’t know.”
“Then find out.”
“Sir, there’s more.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“What?”
Marcus looked at Victor.
Then Damian.
“Your grandmother wasn’t the only person watching Amelia.”
Amelia’s blood ran cold.
“Who else?”
Marcus lowered his voice.
“Someone inside the Sterling family.”
Adrian’s face became cold.
“Who?”
Marcus didn’t answer.
“Marcus.”
“I couldn’t identify them.”
“Why?”
“Because the files were encrypted.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“Then how do you know?”
Marcus reached into his jacket.
He pulled out a small black drive.
“I found this in your grandmother’s private office.”
Adrian took it.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did you open it?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it requires two passwords.”
Adrian frowned.
“Whose?”
Marcus looked at Amelia.
Then at Adrian.
“Yours.”
Amelia’s eyes widened.
“And hers.”
Silence.
Adrian stared at the drive.
“What kind of password?”
“Biometric.”
He looked at Amelia.
“Your fingerprint.”
Amelia stared at him.
“Why would my fingerprint be needed?”
Marcus shook his head.
“I don’t know.”
Damian stepped forward.
“Don’t open it here.”
Adrian looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because if your grandmother encrypted it, she won’t be the only person who knows about it.”
Amelia’s heart sank.
“Then where?”
Damian looked at Victor.
“Somewhere secure.”
Victor nodded.
“There is a place.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Where?”
Victor looked at him.
“The Valmont estate.”
Amelia froze.
“What?”
Victor looked at her.
“Your home.”
“My home?”
“Yes.”
“Where is it?”
Victor didn’t answer.
“Where is it?”
He looked at Adrian.
“Tell her.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“How would I know?”
“Your family does.”
Amelia stared at Adrian.
“What is he talking about?”
Adrian said nothing.
“Adrian.”
He looked at her.
“I’ll find out.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one I have.”
Amelia turned toward Victor.
“Where is the Valmont estate?”
Victor’s expression softened.
“Hidden.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere nobody can find it.”
“Then how do we get there?”
Victor looked at Damian.
Damian’s face became unreadable.
Amelia immediately understood.
“You know.”
Damian didn’t answer.
“Damian.”
“Yes.”
“You know where my home is?”
“Yes.”
“Take me there.”
“No.”
Amelia stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because it’s not safe.”
“Nothing is safe.”
“Exactly.”
“Then take me.”
“Amelia—”
“I want to see it.”
Damian’s expression changed.
“Why?”
“Because I want to see the place where my family lived.”
Victor looked at her.
“You may not like what you find.”
“I don’t care.”
Amelia turned toward Damian.
“Take me.”
He stared at her for several seconds.
Then nodded.
“Fine.”
Adrian immediately stepped forward.
“I’m coming.”
Amelia turned.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Adrian.”
“You heard Victor.”
“He’s my father.”
“Exactly.”
She frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means your family is connected to mine.”
Adrian’s gaze hardened.
“And if my grandmother knew who you were six years ago, I need to know why.”
Amelia stared at him.
“You think I’ll let you walk into my family’s home?”
“I think you’re going to need me.”
She almost laughed.
“Why?”
“Because whoever attacked the mansion tonight isn’t going to stop.”
“I can handle myself.”
“I know.”
His voice softened.
“But you don’t have to do it alone.”
The words caught her off guard.
Amelia looked away.
She hated him.
She missed him.
She didn’t trust him.
And yet…
Somewhere deep inside, she still wanted to believe him.
Damian watched the exchange.
His jaw tightened.
Victor noticed.
A strange look passed between them.
Then Marcus spoke.
“We need to leave.”
Everyone looked at him.
“The attackers will find the passage.”
Damian nodded.
“Move.”
They continued through the tunnel.
But Amelia remained beside Adrian.
Neither spoke.
Their shoulders occasionally brushed.
Each time, Amelia moved away.
Each time, Adrian noticed.
Finally, he stopped.
“Amelia.”
She looked at him.
“What?”
“Why did you come back?”
She frowned.
“I told you.”
“No.”
His voice was quiet.
“Not tonight.”
She looked ahead.
“I was worried.”
“About me?”
“Yes.”
Adrian stared at her.
“Why?”
Amelia sighed.
“Because I don’t hate you.”
His eyes softened.
“Is that all?”
She looked at him.
“Don’t push your luck.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
It was the first time she had seen him smile since the divorce.
And despite everything…
Her heart betrayed her.
It skipped.
She immediately looked away.
Adrian’s smile disappeared.
But something had changed.
For the first time, he understood.
There was still something between them.
Something neither of them had managed to kill.
Even divorce hadn’t been enough.
They reached the end of the tunnel.
A hidden door opened.
Cold night air rushed in.
Outside, several vehicles waited.
Damian walked toward one.
“Everyone in.”
Amelia followed.
Adrian caught her arm.
She looked at him.
“You’re coming with me.”
She frowned.
“What?”
“You’re not going with Damian.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t trust him.”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed.
“That’s funny.”
“What?”
“I don’t trust you either.”
Adrian stared at her.
“Then why are you standing here?”
She didn’t have an answer.
Before she could speak, a loud gunshot echoed.
Everyone froze.
Marcus looked toward the trees.
“Get down!”
Another shot.
A bullet struck the vehicle beside them.
Chaos erupted.
Security guards raised their weapons.
Damian pulled Amelia behind the car.
Adrian immediately moved toward her.
“Stay down!”
“I’m fine.”
“Stop arguing!”
“Don’t tell me what to do!”
A bullet struck the ground beside them.
Amelia screamed.
Adrian grabbed her and pulled her against him.
This time, she didn’t resist.
She buried her face against his chest.
His arms wrapped around her.
For a moment, the world disappeared.
Then a voice echoed from the darkness.
“AMELIA VALMONT!”
She froze.
Adrian’s arms tightened.
The voice continued.
“YOUR FATHER LIED TO YOU!”
Victor turned pale.
Damian raised his weapon.
The stranger shouted again.
“ASK HIM WHO KILLED YOUR MOTHER!”
Amelia’s blood ran cold.
She slowly pulled away from Adrian.
Her eyes moved toward her father.
Victor looked terrified.
“Dad?”
He said nothing.
“Dad.”
Amelia stepped toward him.
“Who killed my mother?”
Victor’s face crumbled.
Amelia’s voice became desperate.
“Who?”
Victor looked at her.
Then at Adrian.
Then Damian.
Finally, he whispered:
“I did.”
Amelia stopped breathing.
The world went silent.
Adrian stared at Victor.
Damian’s face was unreadable.
Amelia couldn’t move.
Her father’s voice echoed in her mind.
I did.
She shook her head.
“No.”
Victor’s eyes filled with tears.
“Amelia—”
“No.”
She backed away.
“You said she betrayed you.”
“She did.”
“You said she wanted you dead.”
“She did.”
“Then why?”
Victor closed his eyes.
“Because I loved her.”
Amelia’s tears finally fell.
“Then why did you kill her?”
Victor opened his eyes.
“I didn’t.”
Silence.
Amelia stared at him.
“But you just said—”
“I killed the woman who looked like your mother.”
Amelia froze.
“What?”
Victor’s voice trembled.
“Your mother is alive.”
Amelia couldn’t breathe.
Victor looked at her.
“She’s been alive all these years.”
Her entire world tilted.
“Where is she?”
Victor’s face became grim.
“With the people who are hunting you.”
Amelia’s heart stopped.
Then her phone vibrated.
Everyone looked at her.
An unknown message.
She opened it.
A photograph appeared.
A woman.
Older.
Pale.
But unmistakable.
Her mother.
Amelia stared at the photograph.
The message beneath it contained only five words.
Come find me, my daughter.
Then another message appeared.
Before Adrian’s grandmother does.
Amelia looked up.
Adrian was staring at her.
“What is it?”
She couldn’t speak.
She turned the phone toward him.
Adrian looked at the photograph.
His face changed.
Then he looked at Amelia.
“Who is that?”
Amelia’s voice trembled.
“My mother.”
Victor closed his eyes.
Damian went completely still.
Adrian stared at the photograph.
Then at Amelia.
“She’s alive?”
Amelia nodded.
A tear rolled down her cheek.
For eight years, she had believed she was alone.
Now she knew the truth.
Her father was alive.
Her mother was alive.
Her family had lied to her.
And somewhere in the shadows, someone was waiting for her.
Amelia looked at Adrian.
“I have to find her.”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Then we’ll find her.”
She stared at him.
“We?”
His gaze held hers.
“Yes.”
Amelia’s heart pounded.
She should have said no.
She should have walked away.
Instead, she whispered:
“Why?”
Adrian’s expression softened.
“Because I divorced you once.”
He reached for her hand.
This time, she let him.
His fingers closed around hers.
“I’m not going to lose you again.”
Amelia stared at him.
And somewhere in the darkness beyond the trees…
Someone was watching them.
A phone was lifted.
A photograph was taken.
Adrian and Amelia.
Holding hands.
The unknown person smiled.
Then sent the photograph to another number.
They’re together again.
The reply came immediately.
Good.
A second message followed.
Let them find the Valmont estate.
The person smiled.
That’s where we’ll end them both.
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