Chapter 8 - Beneath the EstateWe returned to the burned estate.
Nothing remained except blackened walls.
But Daniel knew something.
His father had built a hidden bunker beneath the property.
We found the entrance under the study.
A fingerprint scanner still worked.
Daniel placed his hand against it.
The door opened.
Inside was a corridor lined with old photographs.
My mother.
Daniel's father.
Me.
Daniel.
Ethan.
Ava.
I stopped.
“Why are my children here?”
Daniel stared at the photographs.
Some were recent.
Taken before we met.
One showed Ava at school.
Another showed Ethan playing soccer.
Someone had been watching us for years.
There was another photograph.
Me.
Leaving work.
Then another.
Me at the bus station.
The highway.
Every step.
I felt sick.
“This was planned.”
Daniel nodded.
“For how long?”
“Years.”
We entered the deepest chamber.
A woman sat behind reinforced glass.
She slowly stood.
I knew her immediately.
My mother.
Older.
Tired.
Alive.
I pressed my hands against the glass.
“Mom?”
She walked closer.
Tears filled her eyes.
“Sarah.”
I collapsed against the glass.
“You're alive.”
“I tried to find you.”
“Why didn't you?”
“Because if they knew where you were, they would kill you.”
Daniel approached.
My mother looked at him.
“You found her.”
“Yes.”
She smiled sadly.
“I knew you would.”
Then she looked at Ava.
Her expression changed.
“No.”
She stepped backward.
“What?”
My mother whispered:
“That's not your daughter.”
I froze.
“What?”
My mother stared at Ava.
“Sarah, listen to me.”
“No.”
“Ava was taken from you when she was born.”
I looked at my daughter.
My heart shattered.
“What are you saying?”
My mother gripped the glass.
“The real Ava died.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“She was replaced.”
“No!”
Daniel grabbed my hand.
My mother continued.
“I was trying to protect the child they gave you.”
“What child?”
“The heir.”
She looked at Ava.
“Eleanor's granddaughter.”
The lights went out.
Ava screamed.
Emergency lights flashed red.
Then the bunker doors opened.
Charles Hayes stood there.
Older.
Calm.
Holding a gun.
Behind him was Eleanor.
She smiled.
“Finally.”
My mother stepped backward.
Charles looked at me.
“You have no idea how valuable your daughter is.”
Daniel moved in front of me.
“You're not taking them.”
Charles laughed.
“You still think this is about money.”
He raised the gun.
“This is about blood.”
Then he looked at Ava.
“Tell your grandmother hello.”
Ava stared at him.
May you like
And quietly whispered:
“Grandfather?”
