Chapter 11 - Maeve had never imagined what it would feel like to meet the woman who had given birth to her.She imagined a thousand versions.
A hospital bed.
A quiet house.
A tearful reunion.
She never imagined a prison.
The address led to an abandoned monastery outside the city.
Maeve entered alone.
Elias stayed nearby with Gabriel.
Inside, candles lined the walls.
A woman sat beneath a stained-glass window.
She was older.
Her hair silver.
Her posture elegant.
Her eyes were unmistakable.
Maeve stopped.
“Mom?”
The woman looked up.
Tears filled her eyes.
“Maeve.”
Maeve couldn't move.
“I thought you were dead.”
“I know.”
“Why did you let me believe that?”
“Because if you knew I was alive, they would have killed you.”
“Who?”
“The circle.”
Maeve stepped closer.
“You let Margaret raise me.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She could hide you.”
“She lied to me.”
“I know.”
“She threatened me.”
Elena closed her eyes.
“I know.”
Maeve's voice cracked.
“Then why should I forgive you?”
“You shouldn't.”
That answer broke something inside her.
Elena continued.
“I don't deserve forgiveness.”
“Then why call me here?”
“Because the truth is running out of time.”
Maeve stiffened.
“What truth?”
“Your father.”
“My real father?”
Elena nodded.
“Daniel Marchetti.”
Maeve stared.
“Elias's father?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Maeve took a step backward.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Then what does that make me?”
Elena's eyes filled.
“His daughter.”
Maeve stopped breathing.
She looked toward the door.
Elias.
The man she had fallen in love with.
The man she had kissed.
Her own half-brother?
“No.”
Elena stood.
“I am sorry.”
Maeve stumbled backward.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“From the beginning.”
Maeve felt sick.
“You let me stay with him.”
“He did not know.”
“But you knew!”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he was the only person powerful enough to destroy the circle.”
Maeve's voice shook.
“You used us.”
Elena looked down.
“Yes.”
Maeve turned and ran.
She reached the entrance.
Elias stood there.
He had heard everything.
His face was unreadable.
Maeve couldn't speak.
Neither could he.
Finally he said:
“Is it true?”
Elena answered.
“Yes.”
Elias looked at Maeve.
His eyes filled with pain.
Maeve whispered:
“We're related.”
“No.”
They turned.
Adrian Vale stood in the doorway.
He looked exhausted.
“Daniel Marchetti wasn't your father.”
Elena closed her eyes.
“Adrian.”
“Stop lying to them.”
He faced Elias.
“Your father was Victor Marchetti.”
Elias stared.
“That name isn't in any record.”
“Exactly.”
Adrian turned to Maeve.
“Her father was Victor too.”
Maeve's mind spun.
“You're saying…”
“They share a name.”
“Not blood?”
“No.”
Elena sank into a chair.
“I had to make everyone believe Victor was Daniel.”
“Why?” Elias asked.
Adrian answered.
“Because the circle needed a dead heir.”
Elias frowned.
“What heir?”
Adrian reached into his coat.
He removed an old photograph.
A baby.
Two adults.
And a small black circle on the blanket.
“The Marchetti bloodline was believed extinct.”
Elias stared.
“It wasn't.”
Adrian nodded.
“One child survived.”
Maeve whispered:
“Me?”
“No.”
He looked at Elias.
“You.”
Silence.
Elias took the photograph.
His hands trembled.
“You were hidden inside the organization itself,” Adrian said.
“The entire accident, the fake paralysis, Sienna's engagement, Maeve's arrival…”
Elias looked up.
“All of it?”
Adrian nodded.
“Someone has been testing you.”
“Who?”
Adrian smiled sadly.
“Your uncle.”
At that moment, the monastery doors slammed shut.
Every candle went out.
A voice echoed through the darkness.
“Not anymore.”
A gunshot rang.
Adrian collapsed.
Maeve screamed.
Elias pulled her down.
Another shot.
Then another.
When the emergency lights came on, Elena was gone.
Adrian was bleeding.
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And on the wall, written in fresh red paint, were four words:
THE TEST ISN'T OVER.
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