Chapter 37 Confessing Truth
"What? No. Why would I do that? You are so naive." Helena laughed. "But that's not why I'm calling." She paused, her silence filled with malice.
"I told you there were forces larger than me and People keeping watch on your family. Well, you did well by drawing their attention. Now, they're very interested in you, Eva. And in your precious Adrian, too."
"These forces are always looking for new ways to control people, especially those who think they can outsmart them." Helena continued.
"They don't like loose ends, and you and Adrian have raised questions about old secrets and money that was never supposed to be found. Now they want answers. They will take back control."
"Now with your stunt, they've decided you might be useful."
Eva's heart skipped a beat. "What are you talking about?"
"About something you should have considered before pulling this stunt. You opened a door, something you shouldn't have. Now you'll see what's on the other side." Helena laughed softly.
"Enjoy your victory while you can, dear stepdaughter. Because it won't last long."
Eva didn't have a chance to reply before the call ended.
Eva stared at her phone, her heart pounding.
Adrian watched her with sharp concern. "You look worried. What did she say?"
"She said…" Eva swallowed hard. "She said we opened a door to something. That people are watching us. Someone even more dangerous than her."
The room fell silent.
"Maybe she is just bluffing to scare you." Adrian tried to comfort her.
Then Daniel spoke, his voice serious. "She's not bluffing. I think there's some truth to it. I've heard rumors from my contacts overseas. Someone's been asking about the Fransis family and about Cavanaugh Corp, too."
"Who?" Adrian demanded.
"I don't know yet. They're covering their tracks well. I couldn't find anything about them. But I know they have serious resources, enough to stay hidden from international investigators." Daniel looked at his sister. "Helena might be on the run, but I don't think she's working alone."
Eva felt the ground shift beneath her.
They thought they had won a battle.
But now it seemed the fight they thought was finished was only beginning.
The next morning was gray and cold, with a light drizzle falling over the city. Eva woke before sunrise, Helena's warning still echoing in her mind.
She lay there, listening to the rain tapping on the windows. The steady breathing of her children beside her was her only comfort.
Her phone stayed face down and silent on the nightstand.
For a few moments, she let herself imagine everything was over, that justice had been served, Helena was arrested, and the past was finally behind her.
But a quiet sense of unease lingered, as steady as the rain.
Downstairs, Daniel was already awake and busy in the kitchen, holding a cup of coffee. He was reading the newspaper with a tense frown.
Leonard came in soon after, looking so tired, but his eyes were determined. Both Daniel and he shared a wary but united look.
"We need to find out who Helena is working with," Daniel said quietly. "If she's telling the truth, this is about more than just a personal grudge."
Adrian stood in the doorway, his jaw tight. "I'll quietly contact my people. We can't risk anyone finding out what we're doing."
Eva wrapped her arms around herself and looked at the three men. "So what am I supposed to do? Just wait for the next threat?" Even as she spoke the words, Eva felt a stubborn resolve stirring in her chest.
After a moment, she added, "Maybe I can't stop them, but that doesn't mean I'll sit here and do nothing. I'll check with—"
"No," Leonard shook his head. "You need to stop worrying and keep living your life. Let us take care of this. That's how you win."
Eva was reluctant. She wanted to do something, but all three men looked at her with hope in their eyes. She nodded her head reluctantly.
Still, when the sun finally broke through the clouds, Eva decided to do just that. She would move forward, even if she didn't know what would happen next.
That evening, Eva faced the hardest conversation of all.
She found Lily and Ethan in the playroom, surrounded by toys, books, and the familiar mess of childhood.
They looked up as she walked in. Lily's eyes were full of curiosity, while Ethan watched her quietly, a little wary.
"Mommy…" Lily called from where she sat, looking at her with curious eyes.
Ethan sat quietly, playing with a stuffed animal, too shy to speak.
They knew something was happening.
Her children always seemed to know.
"Come here, Ethan, you too, Lily," Eva called, waving them over.
They both stood and walked toward her, a little unsure.
Seeing them made Eva's heart ache. "Sweetheart, Mommy is sad. Give Mommy a hug to help her feel better."
Eva opened her arms, encouraging them to come closer.
"Mommy is sad?" Lily was the first one to run to her.
"Why, Mommy? Don't be sad. Lily will make the pain go away," she said, throwing herself into Eva's arms.
Ethan joined them and hugged them both.
When they moved apart, Ethan asked, "Is Mommy okay? Are you still sad?"
"No, baby. Mommy isn't sad anymore. Being with you makes all my sadness disappear," Eva said, kissing the tops of their heads.
Eva looked at their innocent faces and thought, 'It's now or never.'
"Um… Can we talk? Mommy has something to tell you." Eva sat down on the floor with them, crossed her legs, and tried to stay calm. "I want to explain a few things."
"Oh, about the mean lady?" Lily asked.
"Yes. About the mean lady. And about… some other things."
She took a deep breath.
How do you tell six-year-olds that the family they know is built on lies? That their father, the man they call "Daddy," even though he barely notices them, isn't really their father at all?
"You know, Mister Adrian?" Eva began carefully.
Both children nodded.
Lily's face lit up. "Lily likes Uncle Adrian. Uncle Adrian likes dinosaurs, just like me."
Ethan's eyes narrowed slightly. But he didn't say anything.
"Right, Adrian likes dinosaurs. You're right. So, Mr. Adrian is… a very nice person, right?"
"Yeah," Lily nodded.
"Um… Mr. Adrian is… an important person to our family. He knew Mommy a long time ago, before you were born."
"Really, is he your friend?" Lily asked.
"Yes. A very good friend." Eva hesitated, then pressed on. "But he's more than that. The truth is… Mister Adrian is your real daddy."