Ethan Vale
1031 Words
Morning sunlight spilled through the tall windows of the Kingsley Estate, but it did little to brighten the heavy atmosphere inside the mansion.
The attempted attacks on Aria had changed everything.
Every entrance was guarded.
Every visitor was questioned.
Every servant carried an identification badge.
The once peaceful estate now felt like a fortress.
Aria stood on the balcony outside her bedroom, gazing at the endless rose gardens below. A cool breeze lifted strands of her chestnut hair as she wrapped her cardigan more tightly around herself.
She hadn't slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she heard the haunting melody of the music box and saw flashes of fire, smoke, and a frightened little girl reaching for someone she couldn't remember.
Who was that child?
Was it Aurora...
Or was it her?
A gentle knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Miss Bennett?"
It was one of the maids.
"Mrs. Kingsley is waiting for you downstairs."
Aria nodded.
"I'll be there in a minute."
---
When she entered the drawing room, Eleanor Kingsley wasn't alone.
James Carter stood beside the fireplace, reviewing several files.
Adrian leaned against the window with his arms folded, his expression unreadable.
Standing in the center of the room was a man Aria had never seen before.
He was tall, with neatly combed dark hair and warm brown eyes. Unlike Adrian's expensive tailored suits, he wore a fitted black security uniform with the Kingsley crest embroidered on the sleeve.
He looked calm, observant, and disciplined.
"Ethan," Eleanor said warmly, "thank you for coming so quickly."
He inclined his head respectfully.
"You called, Madam."
Eleanor turned toward Aria.
"Aria, I'd like you to meet Ethan Vale."
"The head of our family security."
Ethan offered a polite smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Bennett."
His voice was steady and reassuring.
Aria returned the smile.
"It's nice to meet you too."
Adrian watched the exchange without saying a word.
---
James spread several photographs across the coffee table.
"They're all from the last forty-eight hours."
Aria looked down.
The photographs showed blurry images of the sniper's hiding place, the abandoned motorcycle, and the black envelope left behind after the attack.
Another photograph showed the burned picture of the two little girls.
Ethan studied each image carefully.
"Whoever is behind this knows professional surveillance."
He picked up the photograph of the motorcycle.
"They abandoned the vehicle because they expected us to find it."
"You think it's a distraction?" Adrian asked.
Ethan nodded.
"Exactly."
"If they're experienced enough to erase fingerprints, they're experienced enough to plant false evidence."
James frowned.
"So we're chasing shadows."
"For now."
Ethan looked toward Aria.
"Miss Bennett, I need to ask you a few questions."
"Of course."
"Have you noticed anyone following you before you met Mrs. Kingsley?"
Aria thought for a moment.
"There was a man outside the café where I worked."
"He appeared several times during the week before I lost my job."
"Did you recognize him?"
She shook her head.
"No."
"Anything unusual about him?"
"He always wore a gray cap and sunglasses."
James quickly wrote the description into his notebook.
"It may be nothing," Aria added.
Ethan smiled gently.
"Right now, nothing is too small."
His calm professionalism eased some of Aria's anxiety.
For the first time since arriving at the estate, she felt as though someone was trying to understand her instead of judging her.
Adrian noticed the change immediately.
He didn't like it.
---
After the meeting, Eleanor insisted that Aria spend some time in the gardens to clear her mind.
Ethan accompanied her, staying a respectful distance away.
The rose garden was breathtaking.
Hundreds of roses bloomed in shades of crimson, white, and pink.
Stone pathways wound through fountains and marble statues, while birds sang from the branches overhead.
"It's beautiful," Aria whispered.
Ethan smiled.
"This was Lady Aurora's favorite place."
Aria stopped walking.
"Everyone keeps talking about her."
"They loved her very much."
"You knew her?"
Ethan nodded.
"I was younger then, just beginning my training with the family's security team."
"I remember a little girl who laughed every time she chased butterflies."
He looked toward the fountain.
"She was fearless."
Aria felt a strange ache in her chest.
For reasons she couldn't explain, the garden felt... familiar.
As they passed an old oak tree, her steps slowed.
Her fingertips brushed the rough bark.
A sudden image flashed through her mind.
A little girl hiding behind the same tree while another child counted nearby.
"...Seven... eight... nine..."
A woman's laughter echoed in the distance.
The vision disappeared as quickly as it had come.
Aria staggered slightly.
"Miss Bennett!"
Ethan reached out and caught her before she could fall.
"Are you alright?"
She nodded slowly.
"I think..."
"I remembered something."
"What did you see?"
"I don't know."
"It was only a moment."
Ethan helped her sit on a nearby stone bench.
"You don't have to force the memories."
"They'll return when you're ready."
His kindness made Aria smile for the first time in days.
Neither of them noticed Adrian watching from the library window.
His jaw tightened.
For reasons he couldn't explain, seeing Ethan make Aria smile stirred an unfamiliar feeling inside him.
Jealousy.
---
As evening approached, Ethan returned to the mansion's security office.
One of his officers rushed inside.
"Sir."
"What is it?"
"We searched the old west wing again."
"And?"
The officer handed him a faded leather notebook.
"It was hidden beneath the floorboards."
Ethan carefully opened it.
On the first page were the words:
Property of Aurora Kingsley
His heart skipped a beat.
Then he turned to the next page.
A child's handwriting filled the paper.
«Daddy says I must never tell anyone about my secret friend. If Aunt Vivian finds out, she'll be very angry.»
Ethan's expression changed instantly.
This wasn't just a child's diary.
It was the first real clue to what had happened fifteen years ago.
He closed the notebook slowly.
"Inform Mr. Adrian."
"No one else is to know about this."
Outside the security office, hidden in the shadows, someone had already heard every word.
The mysterious figure smiled.
"The diary survived..."
"...which means it's finally time to finish what we started."
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