What are you doing here?

The cool morning breeze caressed my face as I accompanied Jordan and Ryan walking the winding trail that led us to the heart of the North Carolina countryside. I can remember the last time I was here, everything I went through this place. I took a deep breath and focused on the road full of leaves. We were determined to find any clue that could lead us to the whereabouts of my little Drew, my son and Jordan, who had been taken from my arms with only two weeks of life, years ago by my father.

"We’re close, man," said Ryan, his voice full of expectation as he consulted the map on his phone.

"The place where Valentina was seen should be right there, in fact, it’s the same place where Julie had stayed." I saw Jordan nod and look at me right away, my heart beating with a mixture of hope and apprehension.

Valentina was a key piece in this distressing puzzle, a connection to what my father does. She would know how to tell me about Drew and I could barely understand how I ever suspected any of it. Valentina had been perfect for me, had helped me and also listened to my secrets and pains. How could I not? How could she be under orders from my father? How innocent I was, my God!

We continue walking, our steps echoing through the quiet silence of that forest, until we finally reach a small isolated village in the middle of nowhere. The old houses and the empty streets seemed frozen in time, a reminder of all that had stood away when I was sent to that place. We walked for another five minutes and arrived at that house. Flash of the moments I lived there appeared in my mind, making me bite my lips and my heart squeeze in the chest.

"It’s here," Ryan muttered, pointing to the huge lonely house down the street.

My heart jumped in my chest as we moved toward the house, each step increasing the anxiety that was bubbling inside me, filling me with nostalgia. I knew I was about to face a truth that could change everything I thought was real. As we reached the door, I knocked three times, my heart pounding into my chest as we waited for an answer. For an agonizing moment, there was nothing but silence, and then the door opened to reveal an unknown figure. Valentina was there, her dark eyes staring at me with a piercing intensity. I could hardly believe I was seeing her again, after all that time.

"Julie," she said, her voice soft but full of meaning. " What are you doing here?" I took a deep breath, gathering courage before speaking.

"We need answers, Valentina, I already know about everything," I spoke and the disappointment in my voice was evident. "We need to know what you know about Drew’s whereabouts." She studied me for a moment, her indecipherable gaze. Then, finally, she took a step back, making way for us to enter.

"Come," she said, her voice charged with resignation a lot to explain." As we followed Valentina into the house, my heart was in turmoil. I looked at those walls, those corridors, and then I could see the girls and me in every corner, the tears, the laughter, my pregnancy and Drew in my arms. I bit my lips hard and felt the metallic taste invade my tongue. I knew I had hurt myself there. I looked at Valentina and I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew I was finally about to discover the truth I so longed for.

Inside the house, Valentina led us to a simple room, the room in which she usually serves us teas and cookies. We sat at the table there and a tense silence settled on us all. I looked at Jordan, who sat between me and Ryan, his eyes reflecting the same mixture of expectation and apprehension that I felt. Finally, Valentina began to speak, her soft voice echoing through the tense environment. She told us about the days when I was kept under the control of John, my father, and how she herself was just a piece in his game. I heard every word with increasing horror, my mind spinning with the grandeur of what I was hearing. Valentina was more than just a housekeeper, she was a key player in my father’s dirty Machiavellian plan. When she finished speaking, the silence hovered over us again, heavy and oppressive. I didn’t really know what to say. I was distressed and scared, John’s plans were disturbing.

"What now?" I asked, my hoarse voice of emotion. "What shall we do now?" Valentina looked at me, her serious expression.

"Now," she took a deep breath, "I will redeem myself for everything I’ve done, and I will help you get into Drew. I promise you, Julie, we will bring him back home to your arms." His words were like a ray of hope in the darkness, renewing my determination to find my lost son. With Valentina by our side, I knew we had a real chance to find out the truth and bring Drew back home where he belonged.

But at the same time, a shock wave and unbelief flooded me. Valentina, the same woman I had trusted, who had taken care of me when she was being held in near captivity, was now revealing herself as a piece in my father’s dirty game. I divided myself into trusting her and not trusting her. My mind turned to unanswered questions, my heart heavy with the betrayal I had suffered. While my mind was thinking about these issues, one thing was certain: we had a lot of work to do. Drew needed to be found, and I would do anything to bring him back home safe and sound. With a determined sigh, I rose from my chair, ready to face the challenges to come. With Valentina by our side, we knew that our team would grow more and more with our new allies, we would be able to overcome any obstacle that life put us again. Together, we began to plot a plan to find Drew, our resolve strengthened by the promise of hope that Valentina had given us.

And as we prepared to face the challenges ahead, I knew I wasn’t alone.

With my friends by my side, I knew I could overcome anything.