Chapter 5 - The Truth Isabella Died Protecting
Victoria spent the entire night reading Isabella’s notebook.
Every page revealed another piece of a puzzle.
A puzzle that became darker with every word.
Isabella wasn’t running away.
She wasn’t abandoning Maya.
She was hiding.
From Adrian.
From people with money.
From people powerful enough to erase anyone who stood in their way.
Victoria turned another page.
Her breath stopped.
There was a list of names.
Business executives.
Politicians.
Investors.
People who appeared perfect in public.
But Isabella had written one sentence beside them.
“THEY BUILT THEIR EMPIRE BY DESTROYING OTHERS.”
Victoria closed the notebook.
“This can’t be real.”
Maya looked at her.
“My mom never lied.”
Victoria looked down.
“No.”
She knew Isabella.
That was the problem.
Isabella never lied.
She only stayed silent when she was protecting someone.
Later that afternoon, Victoria met with her lawyer, Daniel Reed.
Daniel had worked for her for twelve years.
He was one of the few people she trusted.
“You’re telling me Isabella left evidence?”
Victoria nodded.
“And Maya has it.”
Daniel looked shocked.
“Victoria, do you understand what this means?”
“Yes.”
“No, I don’t think you do.”
He leaned forward.
“If Adrian is involved, this isn’t just a personal matter.”
“What is it?”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“This could destroy powerful people.”
Victoria looked at Maya sitting in the next room drawing pictures with Charlie.
“I don’t care.”
Daniel stared.
“What?”
“I spent ten years believing Isabella left me.”
Her voice became emotional.
“She didn’t leave.”
Victoria looked at Maya.
“She was protecting her daughter.”
That evening, Victoria decided to return to the old Harrington family estate.
The place where Isabella had discovered the first clue.
The house had been empty for years.
Nobody went there anymore.
But Isabella’s notebook mentioned one thing.
A hidden room.
Victoria and Daniel searched the old library.
“Are you sure this is the place?”
Victoria nodded.
“Isabella always came here.”
They moved books.
Checked walls.
Opened drawers.
Nothing.
Then Maya walked in.
“Wait.”
Everyone turned.
She pointed toward an old painting.
“My mom had a painting like that.”
Victoria walked closer.
The painting showed a silver flower.
The same symbol.
She touched the frame.
A small click echoed.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside was a small box.
Victoria’s hands trembled as she opened it.
Inside…
Was a memory card.
And a letter.
The letter had only three words.
“WATCH THIS ALONE.”
Victoria looked at Daniel.
Then at Maya.
Her heart started racing.
She inserted the memory card into a laptop.
The screen turned black.
Then a video appeared.
Isabella was sitting in front of the camera.
Older.
Tired.
Afraid.
Victoria covered her mouth.
“Isabella…”
The woman in the video looked directly into the camera.
“If you are watching this…”
She paused.
Tears filled her eyes.
“Then I didn’t make it.”
Victoria couldn’t breathe.
Isabella continued:
“Victoria, I need you to protect Maya.”
A sound came from behind Isabella.
Someone was approaching.
She quickly looked back.
Then whispered:
“They know.”
The video shook.
Isabella moved closer to the camera.
“Never trust Adrian.”
The screen suddenly went black.
Victoria sat frozen.
May you like
Because the last thing Isabella said was:
“He is not working alone.”
