I couldn't keep it from Nora.
She deserved honesty now.
"A woman loved dad?" she asked, shocked.
"Yes."
"And you just met her?"
"Yes."
Nora paced the room.
"This family just keeps getting secrets."
I didn't disagree.
"What does she want?" Nora asked.
"I don't think she wants anything."
"That's dangerous," Nora replied immediately.
She wasn't wrong.
People connected to power rarely appear without reason.
Later that night Nora asked something
unexpected.
"Do you think mom knew?"
That question froze me.
Because if she did…
It could explain everything.
Jealousy.
Betrayal.
Destruction.
"I don't know," I answered honestly.
"But I'm going to find out."
Because secrets only have power when they stay buried.
And I was done living in shadows.
Victor wasn't happy when I told him.
"Elara came back into your life?" he asked.
"Yes."
"That complicates things."
"Why?"
Victor rarely hesitated.
This time he did.
"Because she represents the life your father didn't choose."
That sentence stayed heavy.
"Is she dangerous?"
Victor answered carefully.
"No."
Pause.
"But the people who watched her… are."
That got my attention.
"What people?"
Victor looked directly at me.
"The same ones who offered your father ultimate power."
Cold realization spread slowly.
"They're still watching?"
"Yes."
"For what?"
His answer was simple.
"For you."