Chapter 10: The Message from the Unknown
3294 Words
Amelia couldn’t stop staring at the photograph.
Her mother.
Alive.
After eight years of believing she was dead.
After eight years of mourning a woman whose final memory was slowly fading from her mind.
After eight years of believing she had been abandoned by everyone she loved.
She was alive.
Somewhere.
Waiting for her.
Amelia’s fingers trembled around her phone.
“Amelia.”
Adrian’s voice was gentle.
Too gentle.
She looked up.
He was still holding her hand.
She hadn’t realized.
She immediately tried to pull away.
Adrian didn’t let go.
“Adrian.”
His eyes met hers.
“You’re shaking.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not.”
“I said I’m fine.”
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then slowly released her.
Amelia looked away.
She hated how easily he could still read her.
Even after everything.
Even after the divorce.
She still hadn’t learned how to hide her emotions from Adrian Sterling.
Or perhaps…
He had simply always known her better than she thought.
“Where is she?”
Victor’s voice interrupted them.
Amelia looked at her father.
“Who?”
“Your mother.”
“You tell me.”
Victor’s face tightened.
“I don’t know.”
Amelia stared at him.
“You just told me she’s alive.”
“Yes.”
“Then where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Her eyes filled with anger.
“How can you not know?”
“Because the people holding her move her constantly.”
“Who are they?”
Victor didn’t answer.
Amelia stepped closer.
“Dad.”
Victor’s eyes lowered.
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not.”
“Then give me something!”
Her voice broke.
“Anything!”
Victor looked at his daughter.
“I only know one thing.”
“What?”
“They want you.”
Amelia’s blood ran cold.
“Why?”
“Because of what your mother knows.”
“What does she know?”
Victor looked toward Adrian.
Amelia followed his gaze.
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Why are you looking at me?”
Victor said nothing.
“Tell me.”
Victor finally spoke.
“Your mother discovered who destroyed the Valmont family.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“And you think my family is responsible.”
“I don’t think.”
Victor’s voice was cold.
“I know.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Then tell me the truth.”
Victor stared at him.
“Your grandmother knows.”
Adrian went still.
“My grandmother?”
“Yes.”
“About what?”
“Everything.”
Adrian’s eyes darkened.
“Everything about what?”
Victor looked at Amelia.
“About your mother.”
Amelia’s heart pounded.
“Why would Adrian’s grandmother know where my mother is?”
Victor’s expression changed.
“Because she helped make her disappear.”
The words fell like a bomb.
Adrian froze.
Amelia stared at him.
“That’s impossible.”
Victor shook his head.
“Your grandmother and my father were enemies.”
“What does that have to do with my mother?”
“Everything.”
Victor took a breath.
“Your mother discovered that the Sterling family had been secretly acquiring Valmont assets for years.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“That’s a lie.”
“Is it?”
“My family acquired companies legally.”
“Some.”
Victor stepped closer.
“Not all.”
Adrian’s expression became cold.
“What are you accusing my family of?”
“Stealing.”
Silence.
Amelia looked between them.
“Stop.”
Neither moved.
“Both of you.”
She turned to Victor.
“Where is my mother?”
Victor looked at her.
“I don’t know.”
“Then I will find out myself.”
“Amelia—”
“I’ve spent eight years believing she was dead.”
Her voice trembled.
“I’m not waiting another day.”
Victor stepped forward.
“You don’t understand what you’re walking into.”
“I don’t care.”
“You should.”
“Why?”
Victor’s eyes darkened.
“Because your mother isn’t the only person they have.”
Amelia froze.
“What?”
Victor looked at her.
“They have someone else.”
“Who?”
He hesitated.
Then whispered:
“Your grandmother.”
Amelia’s breath caught.
“My grandmother?”
Victor nodded.
“She’s alive.”
Amelia stared at him.
She had believed her grandmother was dead too.
The Valmont family had been destroyed so completely that Amelia had never questioned it.
She had simply accepted that everyone was gone.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Amelia laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
Victor looked at her.
“Amelia—”
“No.”
She stepped away.
“Everyone is alive except the people who actually told me the truth.”
Victor’s face fell.
She turned to Adrian.
“Take me to your grandmother.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
“Why?”
“Because she knows.”
“Amelia—”
“She knows where my mother is.”
Adrian shook his head.
“My grandmother won’t tell us.”
“Then make her.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You don’t know her.”
“Neither do you, apparently.”
The words hit him.
Amelia immediately regretted them.
But Adrian’s expression remained unreadable.
“Fine.”
She looked at him.
“I’ll take you.”
Damian stepped forward.
“No.”
Everyone turned.
Amelia frowned.
“Excuse me?”
Damian’s gaze was fixed on Adrian.
“You’re not going anywhere near his grandmother.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“That’s not your decision.”
Damian stepped closer.
“It is when I know what she’s capable of.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“Then explain.”
“I don’t owe you an explanation.”
“You’re standing in my way.”
“Because I know more than you do.”
Adrian gave a cold laugh.
“That’s becoming a habit.”
Damian’s eyes flashed.
Amelia stepped between them.
“Enough.”
She looked at Damian.
“Why don’t you want me to see Adrian’s grandmother?”
Damian was silent.
“Answer me.”
“Because she’s dangerous.”
“Why?”
“Because she knows who you are.”
“I already know that.”
“She knows more than that.”
Amelia frowned.
“What?”
Damian’s eyes moved toward Adrian.
Then back to her.
“She knows what happened to your mother.”
Silence.
Adrian’s expression changed.
“You knew?”
Damian didn’t answer.
Adrian stepped forward.
“You knew my grandmother was connected to Amelia’s mother?”
“I suspected.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Damian’s jaw tightened.
“Yes.”
Adrian’s anger exploded.
“You knew and didn’t tell me?”
“I was protecting Amelia.”
Adrian laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
He stepped closer.
“Everyone is protecting Amelia.”
His eyes turned toward her.
“But no one seems to care that she’s being lied to.”
Amelia went still.
Adrian was right.
Everyone was lying.
Even Damian.
Even her father.
And perhaps…
Even Adrian.
She turned away.
“I want to go.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Where?”
“To your grandmother.”
Damian moved toward her.
“Amelia—”
She held up her hand.
“Don’t.”
He stopped.
She looked at him.
“For once, I need someone to tell me the truth.”
Damian’s expression softened.
“I am trying.”
“Then start.”
Silence.
Damian looked at her.
“I can’t.”
Amelia’s face fell.
“Then stay out of my way.”
She walked toward Adrian.
He immediately moved beside her.
Damian watched them.
Something dark crossed his face.
Jealousy.
Fear.
Or perhaps both.
⸻
An hour later, Adrian’s car stopped outside the Sterling family’s private estate.
The property was far larger than the mansion Amelia had known.
The main house sat on a hill surrounded by tall trees and iron gates.
It was old.
Older than the Sterling mansion.
And somehow…
More intimidating.
Amelia stared through the window.
“Your grandmother lives here?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t I know about this place?”
Adrian glanced at her.
“Because you never asked.”
She looked at him.
“I was your wife.”
“And?”
“Shouldn’t I have known?”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“You weren’t interested in my family’s business.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
He looked away.
Amelia sighed.
They had been married for six years.
And yet, she was discovering things about his family now.
After their divorce.
It was almost laughable.
Almost.
The car stopped.
Adrian opened his door.
Amelia stepped out.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she felt something strange.
A chill.
She looked toward the house.
Someone was watching her.
“Amelia.”
She turned.
Adrian stood beside the car.
“What?”
“Stay close.”
She frowned.
“Why?”
“Because I don’t trust anyone here.”
The answer surprised her.
She stared at him.
“You don’t trust your own family?”
“Not anymore.”
Something in his voice made her heart ache.
Perhaps Adrian was beginning to understand what she had felt all these years.
The feeling of discovering that the people you trusted most were hiding things from you.
She nodded.
“Fine.”
They walked toward the house.
The doors opened before they reached them.
An elderly woman stood inside.
Adrian’s grandmother.
Evelyn Sterling.
She was elegant.
Beautiful.
Cold.
Her silver hair was perfectly styled.
Her posture was straight.
Her eyes were sharp.
The moment she saw Amelia, her expression changed.
Fear.
Amelia saw it.
Only for a second.
But it was there.
Then Evelyn looked at Adrian.
“You brought her here.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“Yes.”
“You shouldn’t have.”
Amelia stepped forward.
“Why?”
Evelyn looked at her.
“Because you don’t belong here.”
Amelia’s eyes hardened.
“Neither did I when I married your grandson.”
Adrian’s eyes flickered.
Evelyn’s expression tightened.
“You should leave.”
“Not until you answer my questions.”
“I have nothing to say to you.”
“Where is my mother?”
Silence.
Evelyn froze.
Adrian stared at his grandmother.
“Grandmother.”
Evelyn looked at Amelia.
“Who told you?”
Amelia’s heart pounded.
“So you know.”
“I know nothing.”
“You’re lying.”
“Watch your tone.”
Amelia stepped closer.
“You knew who I was.”
Evelyn’s expression changed.
“Adrian.”
He looked at her.
“Did you know Amelia was a Valmont?”
Evelyn said nothing.
“Answer me.”
“Yes.”
Adrian went still.
Amelia’s heart pounded.
“You knew?”
Evelyn looked at her.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Because I knew your father.”
“My father?”
“Victor Valmont.”
“Yes.”
Evelyn’s eyes darkened.
“I knew him very well.”
“Did you know my mother?”
Another silence.
“Yes.”
Amelia’s breathing stopped.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re lying!”
Amelia’s voice echoed through the room.
Evelyn’s expression remained calm.
“Your mother is dangerous.”
“Don’t you dare.”
“She destroyed your family.”
“That’s what my father said.”
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed.
“Then perhaps you should listen to him.”
Amelia stepped closer.
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then tell me what happened.”
Evelyn looked at Adrian.
“Send her away.”
Adrian didn’t move.
“Adrian.”
“No.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened.
“What did you say?”
“You heard me.”
“She is a threat.”
“She’s my ex-wife.”
“Exactly.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Don’t talk about her like that.”
Amelia stared at him.
Evelyn looked between them.
Something like realization crossed her face.
“You still love her.”
Adrian froze.
Amelia’s heart stopped.
“Grandmother.”
“You divorced her.”
“Enough.”
“But you still love her.”
Adrian’s jaw tightened.
“Stop.”
Evelyn looked at Amelia.
“Do you still love him?”
Amelia’s heart pounded.
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Adrian looked at her.
The room became unbearably quiet.
Finally, Amelia whispered:
“That doesn’t matter.”
Evelyn smiled.
“That’s not an answer.”
Amelia looked at Adrian.
Then away.
“It doesn’t matter.”
Adrian’s expression changed.
Evelyn watched them.
Then she sighed.
“You’re both fools.”
Amelia’s eyes narrowed.
“Tell me about my mother.”
Evelyn’s expression became serious.
“Your mother was not the woman you think she was.”
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
“Because it’s true.”
“Then what was she?”
Evelyn stared at Amelia.
“She was a traitor.”
Amelia’s heart sank.
“To whom?”
“The Valmont family.”
“Why?”
“Because she discovered the truth.”
“What truth?”
Evelyn hesitated.
Then looked at Adrian.
“The truth about the Sterling family.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“Grandmother.”
“Your grandfather did something unforgivable.”
“What?”
“He destroyed the Valmonts.”
Silence.
Amelia stared at her.
“Why?”
“Because he wanted what belonged to them.”
“Their money?”
“No.”
Evelyn’s eyes moved toward Amelia.
“The Valmont legacy.”
Amelia’s heart pounded.
“What is it?”
Evelyn looked at her.
“Something that should have been yours.”
“What?”
Before Evelyn could answer—
A phone rang.
Everyone froze.
Adrian looked at his phone.
Not his.
Amelia’s.
Her phone was ringing.
Unknown number.
The same number.
Amelia stared at the screen.
The call continued.
Evelyn’s face suddenly went pale.
“Don’t answer.”
Amelia looked at her.
“Why?”
“Because they know you’re here.”
The phone stopped.
A message appeared.
Amelia opened it.
Her blood ran cold.
Hello, Amelia.
Another message.
Did you enjoy meeting your ex-husband’s grandmother?
Amelia’s eyes widened.
She looked around the room.
Someone was watching.
Someone knew where she was.
Then another message appeared.
She still hasn’t told you the truth, has she?
Amelia’s fingers trembled.
She typed:
Who are you?
The reply came immediately.
You really don’t remember me?
Amelia frowned.
Another message.
I was there the night your family disappeared.
Her heart stopped.
She typed:
Tell me who you are.
Three dots appeared.
Then disappeared.
Amelia waited.
Nothing.
Then her phone vibrated again.
A photograph.
Her mother.
Standing beside a much younger Victor.
And another man.
Amelia zoomed in.
Her breath caught.
She knew that man.
She had seen him before.
In Adrian’s family photographs.
Her heart stopped.
The man standing beside her parents was—
Adrian’s grandfather.
Amelia looked at Evelyn.
Then at Adrian.
“Why was your grandfather with my parents?”
Adrian’s face went pale.
“What?”
She turned the phone toward him.
He stared at the photograph.
His expression changed completely.
“Where did you get that?”
“Someone sent it to me.”
“When?”
“Just now.”
Adrian took the phone.
He stared at the image.
Evelyn suddenly stepped forward.
“Give me that.”
Amelia pulled it away.
“No.”
Evelyn’s face had gone white.
Adrian looked at her.
“Grandmother.”
Evelyn didn’t answer.
“Tell me the truth.”
Silence.
“Grandmother!”
Evelyn finally spoke.
“Your grandfather and Victor were business partners.”
“That’s all?”
“No.”
Adrian’s eyes darkened.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Evelyn looked at Amelia.
Then Adrian.
Then Damian, who had quietly entered the room.
Amelia’s eyes widened.
“How did you get here?”
Damian ignored her.
His eyes were fixed on Evelyn.
“Tell them.”
Evelyn’s face changed.
Damian stepped forward.
“Tell them what happened that night.”
Adrian looked at him.
“You know?”
Damian’s expression was cold.
“I was there.”
Amelia’s heart stopped.
“You?”
Damian looked at her.
“Yes.”
“That night?”
“Yes.”
“What did you see?”
Damian’s eyes moved toward Evelyn.
“Your father and Adrian’s grandfather were arguing.”
“About what?”
“The Valmont legacy.”
Amelia’s heart pounded.
“What happened next?”
Damian hesitated.
Then—
A gunshot echoed outside.
Everyone froze.
Adrian immediately grabbed Amelia and pulled her behind him.
Damian drew his weapon.
Evelyn screamed.
The windows shattered.
Glass exploded across the room.
“GET DOWN!”
Adrian covered Amelia with his body.
Another shot.
Then another.
Damian fired toward the window.
Security guards rushed into the room.
“Move!” Adrian shouted.
He grabbed Amelia’s hand.
She didn’t resist.
They ran.
But as they reached the hallway, Amelia’s phone vibrated.
She looked down.
Another message.
You want the truth?
Her heart pounded.
Another appeared.
Come to the Valmont estate.
Then—
Alone.
Amelia stopped.
Adrian turned.
“What is it?”
She stared at the screen.
The final message appeared.
And bring the ring your husband gave you.
Amelia slowly looked at the silver ring on her finger.
Her blood ran cold.
The ring that wouldn’t come off.
The ring that Damian claimed belonged to her mother.
The ring that Adrian had bought at an auction six years ago.
Someone knew about it.
Someone wanted it.
And suddenly Amelia understood.
The ring wasn’t just a piece of jewelry.
It was a key.
A key to something her family had hidden.
Something the Sterling family had spent decades searching for.
And someone was willing to kill for it.
Amelia looked at Adrian.
He was watching her.
“What did they say?”
She locked her phone.
“Nothing.”
Adrian’s eyes narrowed.
“Amelia.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re lying.”
She stared at him.
For a moment, she considered telling him.
Then she remembered the message.
Alone.
She couldn’t trust anyone.
Not Damian.
Not Victor.
Not Evelyn.
And perhaps…
Not even Adrian.
She forced a smile.
“Let’s go.”
Adrian studied her face.
He knew something was wrong.
But before he could question her, Amelia turned away.
Behind her, Damian watched silently.
His eyes moved to the silver ring.
Then to Amelia.
He knew.
The ring had finally been activated.
And the moment Amelia entered the Valmont estate wearing it…
The hidden legacy would recognize its rightful heir.
Damian’s phone vibrated.
He looked down.
One message.
She has the ring.
Damian’s expression darkened.
He typed one reply.
I know.
The response came immediately.
Then you know what happens next.
Damian stared at the screen.
His eyes moved toward Amelia.
She was standing beside Adrian.
The man she had divorced.
The man she still loved.
The man who didn’t yet know the truth.
Damian typed:
She must never find out who Adrian really is.
The reply came.
Too late.
Damian’s blood ran cold.
Another message appeared.
The unknown texter has already contacted her.
Damian looked up sharply.
Across the room, Amelia’s phone vibrated again.
She checked it.
Her face changed.
Damian knew immediately.
Something was wrong.
Amelia looked toward the window.
Then at Adrian.
Then at Damian.
She whispered:
“Someone knows.”
Adrian frowned.
“Knows what?”
Amelia’s eyes met his.
For the first time, she looked genuinely terrified.
“Everything.”
Then the lights went out.
And in the darkness…
A voice whispered from somewhere inside the house.
“Welcome home, Amelia Valmont.”
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