Chapter 2 - THE LOCKET ON THE FLOOR
Victoria had seen thousands of expensive jewelry pieces.
Diamonds.
Emeralds.
Rare stones.
But the small silver locket on the floor made her stop.
She didn’t know why.
Something about it felt familiar.
She picked it up.
Elena immediately stepped forward.
“Please… give that back.”
Victoria opened it.
And froze.
Inside was a faded photograph.
Two little girls.
One blonde.
One brunette.
Standing together beside a woman Victoria remembered from childhood.
Her mother.
Victoria’s breathing changed.
“No…”
Elena looked nervous.
“That belonged to my sister.”
Victoria looked at her.
“Your sister?”
Elena nodded.
“She disappeared when she was young.”
The ballroom became silent.
Victoria stared at the picture again.
Because the little girl beside her mother had the same birthmark.
The same eyes.
The same smile.
A memory buried for decades suddenly returned.
A little girl crying.
A locked bedroom door.
Her father saying:
“Forget her. She is gone.”
Victoria looked at Elena.
“Who was your sister’s name?”
Elena whispered:
“Isabella.”
Victoria dropped the locket.
May you like
Because that was impossible.
Her family’s missing daughter had the same name.
