Chapter 5 - WILLOW'S BLOODLINEWillow couldn't speak.

Her entire life suddenly felt like a story written by someone else.

“My father died.”

Adrian shook his head.

“He disappeared.”

“Why?”

“Because he was the doctor who delivered Mia.”

Josiah stepped closer.

“Where is he?”

Adrian looked at Willow.

“Your mother knows.”

Willow's voice cracked.

“You keep saying that.”

“Because she does.”

“Then take me to her.”

Adrian stared at her for several seconds.

“You really want the truth?”

“Yes.”

“Then understand something.”

His expression became serious.

“People have been killed for less.”

Willow swallowed.

“I don't care.”

Josiah looked at her.

“You should.”

She turned.

“For eight years I've watched people destroy my daughter.”

Josiah's jaw tightened.

“She isn't your daughter.”

Willow looked at Mia.

“Maybe not by blood.”

Mia stared back.

“But that doesn't mean I stop caring about her.”

Josiah said nothing.

For the first time, the mafia boss saw the waitress differently.

Not as a poor employee.

Not as a stranger.

As someone who had walked directly into danger without asking what it would cost her.

They followed Adrian to a small farmhouse outside the city.

An elderly woman opened the door.

She looked at Willow.

And immediately began crying.

“My little girl.”

Willow froze.

“Mom?”

Her mother pulled her into a hug.

For several seconds, Willow couldn't move.

Then she pushed her away.

“Where is my father?”

Her mother's face collapsed.

“He's alive.”

Willow stared.

“Where?”

“He's been protecting you.”

“From what?”

Her mother looked at Josiah.

“From him.”

Josiah's hand moved toward his weapon.

Adrian stepped forward.

“No.”

Willow's mother shook her head.

“Not Josiah.”

Willow frowned.

“Then who?”

The old woman whispered:

“Your father.”

Silence.

“What?”

“Your father wasn't a good man.”

She wiped her tears.

“He worked for the same network that controlled Josiah's empire.”

Willow looked toward Josiah.

“Then why protect me?”

“Because he realized what they were doing.”

“What were they doing?”

Her mother stared at Mia.

“Children.”

Mia moved closer.

“Children?”

Her mother nodded.

“They were collecting children from powerful families.”

Josiah's eyes narrowed.

“For what?”

“Leverage.”

She took a breath.

“Control.”

She revealed an old folder.

Inside were photos of dozens of children.

Politicians' sons.

Police chiefs' daughters.

Judges' grandchildren.

Mia was among them.

Willow stared at the photo.

“What does this have to do with my father?”

“He refused to help them take Mia.”

Josiah stepped closer.

“Who are they?”

Her mother looked terrified.

“The Circle.”

Adrian's face tightened.

“They're supposed to be gone.”

“No.”

The mother shook her head.

“They're alive.”

Josiah's phone rang.

He answered.

No one spoke.

Then a child's voice whispered:

“Daddy.”

Josiah's face drained.

It was Mia.

He turned.

The room behind him was empty.

Mia was gone.

Willow screamed.

“Where is she?”

Security rushed outside.

Nothing.

A car engine roared in the distance.

Adrian grabbed Josiah.

“They took her.”

Josiah's eyes became terrifyingly calm.

“Who?”

Adrian looked down at the photograph.

“The Circle.”

Willow ran outside.

A black limousine vanished into the darkness.

She watched helplessly.

Then her phone vibrated.

Unknown number.

She answered.

A man's voice spoke.

“You've been looking for answers.”

Willow froze.

“Who are you?”

“You want the girl back?”

“Yes.”

“Then come alone.”

“Where?”

A location was sent.

Willow looked at Josiah.

He grabbed her wrist.

“You're not going.”

“She has Mia.”

“I'll handle it.”

“No.”

Willow's voice became firm.

“They didn't call you.”

“They called me because they want you.”

She stared.

“Why?”

Josiah looked at the message.

Then at the photograph.

His face hardened.

“Because you're not just the doctor's daughter.”

“What am I?”

He handed her the photograph.

On the back was a name.

PROJECT MIRROR.

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Beneath it was one sentence.

WILLOW WAS THE ORIGINAL.