Chapter 9 - The First VersionIvy could barely breathe.
The photograph shook in her hand.
“First version?”
Carmine returned seconds later.
“Where did you get that?”
She held it up.
“Explain.”
He stared.
“Now.”
Carmine finally spoke.
“Your father worked on an operation.”
“What operation?”
“To identify a mole inside the family.”
“And I was involved?”
“No.”
“Then why is there a photograph of me before I was born?”
“I don't know.”
“You’re lying again.”
Carmine looked at the picture.
“No. I truly don’t know.”
The front door slammed.
Men entered the house.
Carmine pulled Ivy behind him.
“Stay close.”
Gunfire exploded through the walls.
Carmine returned fire.
The attackers fled.
One man was captured.
Carmine dragged him into the kitchen.
“Who sent you?”
The man said nothing.
Carmine placed the photograph in front of him.
The man’s eyes widened.
“You know her.”
“No.”
“You looked at her.”
“I said no.”
Carmine leaned forward.
“Who is the girl?”
The man broke.
“Project Bell.”
Ivy frowned.
“What is that?”
The man looked at her.
“You were never supposed to survive.”
Silence.
Carmine grabbed his collar.
“What does that mean?”
“Your father found out.”
“Found out what?”
“That the girl was part of an experiment.”
Ivy recoiled.
“Experiment?”
The man shook his head desperately.
“I don’t know the details.”
“Who does?”
“Maria.”
“Where is she?”
The man smiled strangely.
“Too late.”
Carmine’s expression hardened.
“Why?”
“Because she already has your mother.”
Ivy looked at him.
“Your mother?”
“Yes.”
Then the attacker laughed.
“The old woman has been alive all these years.”
Carmine froze.
The man whispered:
“She never disappeared.”
Ivy felt a chill.
“Where is she?”
He answered.
“In your house.”
Carmine’s face changed.
“What?”
The man smiled.
“She’s been there the whole time.”
They returned to the estate.
Every guard was unconscious.
The halls were empty.
Carmine ran toward the east wing.
Ivy followed.
A bedroom door stood open.
Inside sat an elderly woman beside the window.
She turned slowly.
Her eyes met Carmine’s.
And Ivy knew immediately.
It was Lucia DeLuca.
Carmine stopped breathing.
“Mother?”
Lucia smiled.
“I wondered when you’d finally remember me.”
Ivy stared at the woman.
Then Lucia turned toward her.
“And you.”
May you like
Her smile faded.
“You were never supposed to be here.”
