Chapter 11 - Her Mother's Secret)
Elena could barely speak.
Her mother had supposedly died when Elena was three.
But the photograph was dated six years after her supposed death.
"Where is she?"
Julian shook his head.
"I don't know."
"You expect me to believe she is alive?"
"No."
He looked at the photograph.
"I expect you to believe someone wanted you to think she was dead."
They searched old records.
Every trail led to the same place.
A private clinic in Oregon.
The clinic had closed years ago.
But its former director was still alive.
They found him.
He remembered Elena's mother.
"She came here under another name."
"What name?"
The doctor opened an old file.
"Anna Carter."
Elena stared.
"That's my mother's name."
"No."
The doctor shook his head.
"That was her real name."
Elena realized something.
Her mother's maiden name had never appeared on any document.
Her father had always refused to discuss it.
The doctor continued.
"She was afraid."
"Of Thomas?"
"No."
"Then who?"
The doctor looked at Julian.
"Your father."
Julian went still.
"My father?"
The doctor nodded.
"Your mother knew something about the Carter family."
"What?"
The doctor hesitated.
"She knew who actually killed Elena's father."
Elena froze.
"My father?"
The doctor corrected himself.
"No."
He looked at Elena.
"Your mother's husband."
Elena's heart pounded.
Her father had not been the victim.
He had been something else.
May you like
The doctor whispered:
"Your mother believed your father was going to kill her."
