Chapter 16: The Mother Who Came Back From the Dead
Chapter 16: The Mother Who Came Back From the Dead
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Because the woman standing in the doorway was impossible.
My mother.
The same woman whose voice I heard planning my destruction.
The same woman whose betrayal had shattered everything I believed about family.
She was alive.
And she was standing in front of me.
"Evelyn."
Her voice was softer than I expected.
Almost like the mother who used to read me bedtime stories.
Almost.
I took one step back.
"No."
The word came out before I could stop it.
My father appeared behind me.
His face had gone completely pale.
"Caroline..."
My mother's eyes moved toward him.
A thousand emotions crossed her face.
Regret.
Pain.
Fear.
But not surprise.
She expected us.
"You knew."
My voice cut through the room.
She looked at me.
"I knew you would find the truth eventually."
My hands curled into fists.
"Don't."
Her expression changed.
"Don't pretend you are the victim."
The room became silent.
Adrian watched us from the corner.
Enjoying every second.
"You manipulated Grant."
"You used Vanessa."
"You let Lily suffer."
My voice shook.
Not from fear.
From anger.
My mother lowered her eyes.
"I never wanted Lily hurt."
I laughed bitterly.
"But she was."
"I know."
"Do you?"
I stepped closer.
"Do you know what she asked me?"
My mother's face changed.
"She asked if she was bad."
Silence.
"Your granddaughter thought she deserved what happened to her."
My mother's eyes filled.
But I didn't stop.
"Because the people around her taught her that nobody would protect her."
For the first time, my mother looked broken.
But I couldn't forgive her.
Not yet.
"Why?"
The question came quietly.
"Why did you do this?"
She looked at Adrian.
Then back at me.
"Because I was trying to save you."
I froze.
Everyone did.
Adrian laughed.
"Still lying."
My mother ignored him.
"Evelyn, you don't understand what Adrian is capable of."
I looked at him.
"Then explain."
She took a breath.
"Twenty years ago, Adrian didn't want my company."
She paused.
"He wanted my daughter."
The room went cold.
"What?"
"He believed you were special."
I frowned.
"Special?"
"He believed the Hart family legacy belonged to you."
I stared at her.
"He was obsessed with controlling you."
My mother continued.
"When I refused, he disappeared."
I looked toward Adrian.
"And now?"
She whispered:
"Now he wants what he always wanted."
Adrian smiled.
"Your daughter."
My blood turned cold.
Lily.
The thought alone changed everything.
I didn't care about the past anymore.
Not about money.
Not about betrayal.
Only one thing mattered.
My daughter.
I looked at Adrian.
"You will never get near her."
May you like
He smiled.
"That's exactly what your mother said twenty years ago."
