Unraveling Shadows
1240 Words
The air between them thickened with tension as Liana’s fingers clutched the folder containing her mother’s desperate letters. The revelation that Victor Wolfe—Damian’s father—had been at the center of her mother’s disappearance sent icy chills through her veins. And now, another unexpected name had surfaced: Celeste Moreau.
Damian’s ex-lover. A woman who had made it clear she despised Liana.
Liana sucked in a sharp breath, struggling to steady herself. “What exactly does Celeste know?”
Damian’s jaw tightened. “She was close to my father before he died. If anyone knows his secrets, it’s her.”
Liana’s stomach twisted at the mention of Victor Wolfe’s death. He had passed away two years ago, taking countless secrets to his grave. But if Celeste had been privy to them, she might have the missing piece to her mother’s disappearance.
She straightened. “Then we find her.”
Damian’s gaze flickered with hesitation. “Celeste isn’t someone you can just confront. She thrives on control. She’ll want something in return.”
Liana folded her arms. “Then we give her whatever she wants.”
Damian let out a bitter chuckle. “You don’t know Celeste. She doesn’t want money or power. She wants me—and she’s been waiting for a reason to come back into my life.”
Liana stiffened. “You think she’ll use this to manipulate you?”
“Without a doubt.” Damian’s voice was sharp, a storm brewing beneath his cold exterior.
Liana met his gaze, fire sparking in her own. “Then we don’t give her the upper hand. We go in prepared.”
Damian studied her for a long moment before nodding. “Fine. But I’m the one who reaches out to her.”
Liana didn’t argue. As much as she hated the idea of Damian getting close to Celeste again, she knew this wasn’t about jealousy. This was about uncovering the truth.
And she would do whatever it took.
The exclusive club Celeste Moreau owned was nestled in the heart of Azure Bay, an elite establishment known for its secrecy and indulgence. Liana had never stepped foot inside before, but as she and Damian entered through the grand entrance, she instantly felt the weight of judgmental eyes sweeping over her.
Rich mahogany walls, dim chandeliers, and plush velvet booths created an atmosphere of dark seduction. A live jazz band played softly in the background, adding to the club’s mystique.
Damian’s hand rested lightly on the small of Liana’s back as they approached a private booth at the far end of the room.
And there she was.
Celeste Moreau.
She was stunning in an effortless way—long, raven-black hair cascading over her shoulders, her sharp emerald eyes flickering with amusement as she sipped a glass of red wine. Dressed in a silk burgundy gown that hugged her curves, she exuded elegance and danger in equal measure.
“Damian,” Celeste purred, a slow smirk spreading across her lips. “I was starting to think you’d forgotten about me.”
Damian’s face remained expressionless. “I need information.”
Celeste’s gaze flickered to Liana, and her smirk deepened. “Ah. I see you brought your little girlfriend along. How… bold.”
Liana lifted her chin. “We’re here for answers.”
Celeste tilted her head, studying her like a predator assessing its prey. “And what makes you think I have them?”
Damian slid into the booth across from her, and Liana followed. “You were close to my father before he died,” Damian said. “I know he told you things. Secrets.”
Celeste swirled her wine glass lazily. “Victor was a complicated man. He kept many secrets. Why should I share them with you?”
Liana leaned forward. “Because this isn’t about Victor. This is about my mother. Amelia Everett.”
Something flickered in Celeste’s eyes—recognition.
Liana’s heart clenched. She knows something.
Celeste set her glass down. “Now that… is an interesting name.”
Damian’s fingers curled into fists. “Tell us what you know.”
Celeste ran a perfectly manicured nail along the rim of her glass. “Amelia was a fool. She thought she could escape Victor. But no one ever truly escapes him.”
Liana’s breath caught. “So he did do something to her.”
Celeste arched a delicate brow. “What do you think, darling? He was a powerful man. When someone betrayed him, they disappeared.”
A cold sweat broke out on Liana’s skin. “Do you know what happened to her?”
Celeste leaned back, amusement dancing in her gaze. “I could tell you.”
Liana gritted her teeth. “Then do it.”
Celeste tapped a finger against her lips. “But where’s the fun in that? Information is power, sweetheart. And if I give you this power, I’ll need something in return.”
Damian’s voice was like steel. “What do you want?”
Celeste’s eyes gleamed as she turned to him. “You.”
Liana stiffened.
Celeste trailed a finger down Damian’s arm. “Leave her, Damian. Come back to me, and I’ll tell you everything.”
Liana’s stomach churned with fury, but before she could speak, Damian’s voice cut through the air like a blade.
“That’s not happening.”
Celeste pouted dramatically. “Pity. I would have enjoyed having you again.”
Liana clenched her fists. “This isn’t a game, Celeste.”
Celeste’s smirk faded, her expression turning unreadable. “No, it’s not. But if you truly want the truth… you should look into Blackwood Manor.”
Damian’s eyes narrowed. “What’s at Blackwood Manor?”
Celeste’s lips curled. “Memories. Ghosts. Perhaps even your answers.”
Liana swallowed hard. The name Blackwood Manor sent a shiver down her spine.
It was an abandoned estate on the outskirts of Azure Bay. A place known for its dark history.
A place her mother had been last seen.
Celeste leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Be careful what you dig up, darlings. Some graves are better left undisturbed.”
With that, she picked up her glass, taking a slow sip of wine, as if the conversation had never happened.
But Liana knew better.
Blackwood Manor was the key.
And they were about to walk into the lion’s den.
Liana sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the printed maps of Blackwood Manor that Damian had pulled up on his laptop.
The estate was massive, its structure falling into decay over the years. But what stood out most were the underground passages. Hidden tunnels. Secret rooms.
“This place is a fortress,” Damian murmured.
Liana exhaled. “My mother was last seen there. If Victor had something to do with her disappearance, then maybe…” She swallowed hard. “Maybe her body is still there.”
The weight of her words hung heavy in the air.
Damian reached for her hand, his grip firm, grounding her. “We’ll find out the truth.”
Liana met his gaze, her heart pounding. “And if we find something we’re not ready for?”
Damian’s jaw tightened. “Then we face it together.”
A lump formed in Liana’s throat. Despite everything—the lies, the secrets, the danger—she still trusted him.
And that terrified her.
Because she knew deep down…
This was only the beginning.
- Writer
