The Jouney Within

Chapter 4: The Enemy at the Gate

Elena could barely breathe.

She stared through the window at the stranger standing beside the black car.

"Who is he?" she whispered.

Adrian didn't answer.

Instead, he pulled the curtains closed.

"Stay here."

Elena grabbed his arm.

"No."

His eyes dropped to her hand.

"You don't understand."

"Then explain it to me."

"Elena, this isn't a discussion."

"It became my business the moment you married me."

Adrian's jaw tightened.

For several seconds, they stared at each other.

Then he finally said, "His name is Victor Hale."

"Who is he?"

"Someone who has been waiting fifteen years for revenge."

Elena's heart sank.

"Against your family?"

"Against both our families."

Before she could ask another question, the mansion's security alarm sounded.

Adrian immediately moved toward the door.

Elena followed.

"Where are you going?"

"To deal with this."

"I'm coming."

"No."

"You can't keep locking me away every time something happens."

Adrian turned sharply.

"This isn't about controlling you."

"Then what is it about?"

His expression softened for the briefest moment.

"Keeping you alive."

Elena froze.

Adrian walked away.

She watched him disappear down the corridor.

Then she heard shouting from downstairs.

She couldn't stay behind.

Elena followed the voices.

When she reached the entrance hall, two security guards were escorting Victor inside.

He wasn't struggling.

He was smiling.

His gaze immediately found Elena.

"So this is her."

Adrian stepped between them.

"Don't look at my wife."

Victor laughed.

"Your wife?"

His eyes moved toward Elena again.

"You really went through with it."

Elena frowned.

"What does that mean?"

Victor smiled.

"Ask your husband why he chose you."

Adrian grabbed Victor by the collar.

"You have five seconds to leave."

Victor didn't look frightened.

Instead, he leaned closer.

"You can't protect her forever, Adrian."

Adrian released him.

"Get out."

Victor adjusted his jacket.

"Tell Elena what happened on the night her father died."

Elena's face went pale.

Adrian's expression became deadly.

Victor walked toward the door.

Then he stopped.

"Oh, and Adrian?"

Adrian stared at him.

"The person who ordered the accident is still alive."

The door closed behind him.

Silence filled the mansion.

Elena slowly turned toward Adrian.

"Is it true?"

He didn't answer.

"Adrian."

Still nothing.

"Was my father's death really an accident?"

Adrian looked at her.

"No."

The single word shattered everything.

Elena stepped backward.

"Then who killed him?"

Adrian's eyes darkened.

"I don't know."

"But Victor said—"

"Victor wants you to believe whatever keeps you close to this."

"You've known all along."

"Not everything."

"But enough."

Adrian walked toward her.

"I knew your father was investigating someone. I knew he discovered something dangerous. I knew his death wasn't accidental."

Elena's voice trembled.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because whoever killed him may still be watching you."

"And you thought marrying me would protect me?"

"Yes."

She laughed bitterly.

"You married me because you were afraid someone would kill me?"

Adrian didn't respond.

Elena wiped a tear from her cheek.

"You should have told me."

"I couldn't."

"You could."

"I was trying to keep you alive."

She looked into his eyes.

For the first time, she saw something beyond the cold billionaire everyone feared.

Regret.

Real regret.

But Elena wasn't ready to forgive him.

Not yet.

She turned away.

"I need to be alone."

"Elena—"

"Please."

Adrian stopped.

She walked upstairs.

But when she reached her bedroom, she noticed something lying beneath the door.

A small envelope.

Her name was written across it.

ELENA.

Her hands shook as she picked it up.

Inside was a photograph.

Her father.

Standing beside a woman Elena had never seen before.

On the back were five words.

Ask your mother who she is.

Elena stared at the photograph.

Her heart began pounding.

Her mother had always told her that her father had been faithful.

That their family had been simple.

That there were no secrets.

But now Elena had proof that her father had been hiding something.

She immediately reached for her phone.

She called her mother.

No answer.

She called again.

Still nothing.

A cold feeling settled in her stomach.

Then her phone rang.

Unknown number.

Elena answered cautiously.

"Hello?"

A distorted voice whispered,

"You're looking in the wrong place."

Elena's blood ran cold.

"Who is this?"

"You want to know who killed your father?"

"Yes."

"Then stop trusting your husband."

The call ended.

Elena stood frozen.

Behind her, the bedroom door slowly opened.

She turned.

Adrian was standing there.

His expression was unreadable.

"What happened?"

Elena held up the photograph.

"You tell me."

His eyes landed on it.

For the first time, Adrian looked genuinely shocked.

"Where did you get that?"

"Someone left it outside my room."

He took one step toward her.

"Elena, listen to me."

"No."

She backed away.

"I want the truth."

"You aren't ready for it."

"Try me."

Adrian stared at the photograph again.

Then he whispered something that made Elena's heart stop.

"I know that woman."

"Who is she?"

Adrian looked directly at Elena.

"Your mother."

The room went silent.

Elena's lips parted.

"That's impossible."

Adrian shook his head.

"It's not."

And suddenly, Elena realized that the secrets surrounding her family were far deeper than she had ever imagined.