My family laughed when I arrived alone at my sister’s wedding, and my father made sure everyone heard him say, “She couldn’t even find a date.” A few minutes later, after he shoved me into the fountain and the applause finally faded, I looked him straight in the eye. “Remember this moment.” Because the secret I had protected for three years was already walking toward the ballroom doors.

The police dragged Sophie away, her maniacal laughter echoing in the night. I sat frozen in the back seat, my mind reeling from her final words. "Mother says hello." How could Sophie know about our mother? Julian put away his weapon and gently helped me back into my seat. His face was grim, a storm brewing in his dark eyes. "She knows," I whispered, the realization washing over me like ice water. "Sophie knows my mother is alive." Julian nodded slowly, his mind already working on a plan. "Your father didn't act alone," he said, his voice deadly calm. "They've been hiding her together." We finally pulled up to the massive front doors of the estate. Julian's security team was already waiting, their faces tense and alert. The head of security, a towering man named Marcus, approached the car. "Sir, we traced the message," Marcus reported, his voice tight. "It bounced through a dozen servers, but the origin point is local." Julian's eyes narrowed. "Where?" Marcus hesitated, glancing nervously at me. "It came from Graham Hart's private office," he said softly. "The one in the old bank building downtown." I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. My father had always forbidden anyone from entering that office. "We need to go there," I said, my voice shaking with adrenaline. "Now." Julian looked at me, his expression softening for a fraction of a second. "It's dangerous, Clara," he warned, his hand resting gently on my cheek. "I don't care," I replied, my resolve hardening. "I'm not hiding anymore." As we turned back toward the limousine, Marcus's radio crackled to life. "Sir, we have a problem," a panicked voice shouted over the radio. "Graham Hart just escaped police custody."