CHAPTER FOUR– WELCOME HOME
994 Words
"I'll go."
The words came out as barely a whisper.
For a moment, no one moved. Then Lucien gave a single nod.
"Lower the gun," Lucien said quietly.
The barrel slowly lifted from Daniel's head, and my knees almost gave out with relief.
"No!" Daniel shouted, fighting against the bodyguards. "Elena, don't do this!"
I forced a weak smile through my tears.
"If I don't... they'll kill you."
"They won't!" His voice cracked. "I won't let them take you!"
"I've already made my choice."
Deep down, I knew Lucien was capable of killing Daniel. Even if he did, he would still take me and pay my stepmother as if nothing had happened. I couldn't let Daniel die because of me.
Lucien's deep voice cut through the silence.
"Take her."
A bodyguard walked toward me. This time, I didn't resist. There was nothing left to fight for.
As I walked toward the door, Daniel kept calling my name. Each step felt like I was walking toward my own execution.
Outside, the entire street had gathered — neighbors, children, shop owners. Everyone was watching.
"So the rumors were true."
"The witch is finally leaving."
"Good riddance."
I lowered my head. Even now, they still believed my stepmother's lies.
A painful thought crossed my mind. She must have told the neighbors I was leaving today. Otherwise, why would they all be standing outside waiting? She wanted everyone to watch me leave in shame. I hated her even more.
A familiar voice suddenly rang out.
"Enough!"
Old Mr. Benson stepped forward, glaring at the crowd. "That girl has never harmed anyone."
Before anyone could respond, my stepmother laughed. "You don't know the monster living under my roof."
Several people nodded. Some even stepped away from me, as if I carried a disease.
Daniel broke free and grabbed my hand. "Come with me." His grip trembled. "I'll protect you."
My eyes stung. "You already have."
Before I could say another word, the guards pulled him away. His fingers slipped from mine, and it felt like the last piece of my old life had just disappeared.
The car door opened. I climbed inside. The door slammed shut.
As we drove away, I watched Daniel grow smaller through the rear window, until he disappeared completely.
The ride was silent. Too silent.
Finally, I looked at Lucien. "What did my father do to you?"
No answer.
"Why do you keep mentioning him?"
Nothing.
"What do you want from me?"
His cold eyes met mine. "What has always belonged to me."
"I don't belong to anyone."
A faint smile touched his lips. "We'll see."
The car came to a stop before a towering black gate. The iron gates swung open. The driveway stretched endlessly, lined with luxury cars. A beautiful fountain stood at its center. Guards were stationed everywhere. It looked less like a home... and more like a prison built for royalty.
The car stopped in front of the mansion. One of the bodyguards opened my door. Three more bodyguards stood at the entrance, waiting. The entire mansion was surrounded by men in black suits. A knot tightened in my stomach. Escape suddenly felt impossible.
"Get down."
I stepped out on shaky legs. Lucien walked ahead without looking back, and I had no choice but to follow.
The huge doors opened. Rows of servants stood inside.
The moment I stepped into the hall, not a single person spoke. Every servant stared at me. One young maid gasped, and the silver tray in her hands slipped.
CRASH!
The plates shattered across the marble floor. She stumbled backward, her face drained of color.
"It—" She pointed at me with a trembling finger. "It can't be..."
An older housekeeper grabbed her arm. "Stop talking!"
"But she—"
"I said stop!"
The hall fell silent again. No one dared speak. No one even dared look at Lucien.
He continued walking as if nothing had happened.
"Prepare her room."
"Yes, sir."
I couldn't move. Why were they looking at me like that? It was as if they already knew me.
Then something caught my eye.
A giant portrait hung above the grand staircase. Without thinking, I lifted my head, carefully, as though bracing for what I'd see.
The woman in the portrait looked exactly like me.
The same eyes, the same smile, and the same tiny beauty mark beneath her left eye.
My gaze dropped to the necklace around her neck.
It looked exactly like the one my father had given me — the same necklace my stepmother had ripped from my neck before I left.
"This... this can't be," I whispered.
Just then, a cold voice spoke behind me.
"I was wondering when you'd notice."
My pulse quickened as I took a hesitant step forward ,I turned around.
Lucien stood a few steps away, his hands tucked into his pockets. His gaze moved from the portrait to me.
Neither of us spoke. Every second felt longer than the last.
Finally, I found my voice. "Who is she?"
Lucien took one step toward me, unhurried. Then another. Until he stopped right in front of me.
He didn't look away.
"You've been asking the wrong question since the day we met."
"W-What do you mean?"
"The real question..." He paused, his stare never leaving mine. "...isn't who she is."
"It's why they all know who you are."
My heart raced. There was no way he was telling the truth.There had to be another explanation. Maybe the woman in the portrait was a distant relative. Maybe this was all some twisted game. Whatever the truth was, I knew my life had already changed.
Before I could ask another question, he turned and walked toward the staircase. Without looking back, he said, "Bring her upstairs."
The servants bowed immediately.
"Yes, sir."
I stood frozen.
Who was that woman?
Why did she have my face?
And if I wasn't who I thought I was...
Then who was I?
- Writer
