Chapter 12 - The Second Betrayal)
The investigation turned against Julian.
The more Elena learned, the less certain she became about whom she could trust.
Julian admitted that his father had kept secrets from him.
But Elena discovered something worse.
Julian had known about the Oregon clinic for years.
He had never told her.
"Why?"
"Because I was trying to find your mother."
"Without telling me?"
"Yes."
"How long?"
"Seven years."
Elena stared at him.
Seven years.
Their entire marriage.
"Did you ever find her?"
Julian hesitated.
Elena understood.
"You did."
He looked away.
"Where is she?"
"I don't know anymore."
"Julian."
"She disappeared."
"When?"
"Three months ago."
Elena's face went cold.
"Three months ago?"
"Yes."
"That's when you started acting differently."
Julian nodded.
"I thought Thomas had found her."
Then Elena noticed something.
The photograph.
There was a date written on the back.
Three months ago.
Her mother's photograph had been taken recently.
Elena turned it over.
There was another line beneath the date.
Find Elena before Julian does.
She stared at the words.
Julian saw them.
His expression changed.
"I never wrote that."
Elena looked at him.
"I know."
Someone else had.
Someone who wanted Elena to distrust Julian.
Someone who had access to her mother's photographs.
Someone who knew where Elena would be.
Then her phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
A woman's voice whispered:
"Elena."
Her heart stopped.
It was her mother's voice.
"Don't trust Julian."
The call ended.
Elena looked at him.
Julian whispered:
"That wasn't your mother."
"How do you know?"
"Because she's dead."
Elena stared at him.
May you like
"Then who was that?"
Julian had no answer.
