Chapter 12 - Her Mother's SinLily was found in Italy.
Lily was found in Italy.
Alive.
Safe.
Confused.
When Elena saw her, she dropped to her knees.
Lily stared.
"Are you my mother?"
Elena could barely speak.
"Yes."
The little girl stepped forward.
Then wrapped her arms around Elena.
For six years, Elena had imagined what motherhood would feel like.
Nothing prepared her for the weight of her daughter in her arms.
She cried silently.
Lily touched her face.
"Why are you crying?"
"Because I missed you."
"But we've never met."
Elena smiled through tears.
"I know."
Behind them, Adrian stood at the doorway.
His expression was grim.
"Your mother is here."
Elena froze.
She turned.
Her mother entered the room.
Older.
Elegant.
Unrepentant.
Elena stood.
"Why?"
Her mother looked at Lily.
"Because the child was never supposed to belong to Julian."
"Then why did you hide her?"
"To protect her."
"From whom?"
Her mother looked at Elena.
"From you."
Elena stared.
"What?"
"Your pregnancy was never accidental."
Silence.
"Explain."
Her mother sat.
"Your grandfather discovered Julian's operation before the wedding."
"He knew?"
"Yes."
"Then why did no one stop him?"
"Because the family needed him close."
Elena's anger exploded.
"You sacrificed me."
Her mother looked away.
"We believed we could control the situation."
"You used my marriage as a trap."
"Yes."
"And Lily?"
"She was part of the succession plan."
Elena's voice cracked.
"She's a child."
"I know."
Her mother closed her eyes.
"But the trust recognized the next direct heir through maternal bloodline."
Elena understood.
Lily was the key.
Her daughter was the only person who could permanently secure the empire.
Julian had discovered that.
So had her mother.
So had everyone.
Everyone except Elena.
Her mother continued.
"After Lily was born, Julian tried to access her records."
"Why didn't he simply take her?"
"Because I intervened."
"Where was I?"
"Recovering from the delivery."
Elena suddenly remembered.
She had been unconscious for days.
When she woke, Julian told her the baby had died.
Elena looked at her mother.
"You let me believe my daughter was dead."
Her mother nodded.
"I did."
Elena stepped back.
"I hate you."
Her mother accepted the words.
"I know."
The door opened.
Martin entered.
"There's another problem."
Elena turned.
"What?"
"The company."
"What's happening?"
"Julian's people are trying to trigger the collapse mechanism."
Elena frowned.
"Now?"
"They've begun calling lenders."
"Why?"
Martin looked at her.
"They want Aurelia declared insolvent."
"But we have the assets."
"Not if the debt triggers."
Elena's mother looked up.
"They found the final clause."
Elena stared.
"What final clause?"
Her mother whispered:
"The clause your grandfather hid from everyone."
"What does it do?"
"Transfers all Aurelia assets to an outside administrator if the company is declared insolvent."
Elena's blood ran cold.
"Who is the administrator?"
Her mother looked at her.
"Julian."
Elena's heart stopped.
The entire war had been leading to this.
If Julian couldn't steal Aurelia...
he could bankrupt it.
Then legally take control of the ruins.
Elena looked at Martin.
"How long?"
"Less than twenty-four hours."
Elena picked up Lily.
She looked toward Adrian.
"Then we don't have twenty-four hours."
Adrian nodded.
"How long do we have?"
May you like
Elena answered:
"Until midnight."
