Chapter 42 Breakthrough
When Adrian kissed her now, there was no hesitation. There was only hunger, tenderness, and the desperate need of two people holding on to each other in the dark.
Eva knew she was falling for him.
She also knew it was probably foolish to fall in love in the middle of a crisis, especially when enemies were closing in, and her children's safety was at stake.
But a part of her longed for the connection, even as her responsibilities made her question her desires.
The cautious side of her, the one that had always helped her survive, warned her she was asking for trouble.
Her instinct to protect her family clashed with her growing feelings for Adrian, and she wondered if opening up now might jeopardize everything she'd fought for.
Letting herself really care for Adrian meant giving someone else the power to hurt her and use it against her.
She tried to imagine what it would feel like to lose him, if something happened because she let herself get too close.
Doubt crept in beneath her feelings for him, along with guilt for wanting comfort when she was supposed to stay strong for her children.
Still, she couldn't deny it. Wanting him made her feel alive again, even though she knew this kind of feeling could be just as dangerous as any threat from the Consortium.
But the heart didn't care about logic. After seven years of pain, feeling real emotion again was almost too much.
She would fight for this.
For him. For her children. For the future, they were building together.
Whatever it took.
On the eighth day, the breakthrough came from an unexpected source.
Reena.
Eva was in the study, looking through financial papers Leonard had marked as important, when her phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number.
She almost ignored it. Lately, she had been getting many calls like that, mostly from reporters asking for comments. But something made her answer.
"Mrs. Lawson?" A woman's voice, professional but tense. "This is Officer Diane Chen from the Metropolitan Detention Center. I'm calling about inmate Reena Park."
Eva's grip on the phone tightened. "What about her?"
"She's requested to speak with you. She says it's urgent—that she has information about Helena Park's location."
Eva's heart skipped a beat. "She knows where Helena is?"
"She claims that she knows. She's been... agitated since this morning. She keeps saying she needs to talk to you before it's too late."
Before it's too late.
"Fine. I'll be there within the hour."
Eva hung up and went to find Adrian.
He was in the security control room, watching video from the estate's outside cameras with his chief of security. When Eva told him about the call, his expression became serious.
Adrian frowned, worry clear on his face. "Do you really think we can trust her? I'm worried this might be a trap to lure you out of here, especially since Reena could get something by betraying us."
"It could also be true. Reena has no reason to help the Consortium anymore," Eva said, her voice steady and sure.
"Remember, she was once loyal to them—working on the inside, just like Helena."
Adruan Nodded. "I remember."
"But when things went wrong, the Consortium made sure Helena, her mother, escaped while Reena was left to take the blame alone. They could have protected Reena, but they didn't. And in the end, Helena abandoned her, too."
Adrian couldn't deny her words.
"Reena has lost everything because of them, so maybe now she wants to get back at them."
"That doesn't mean she's on our side."
"I know. But it means Reena might be willing to help herself." Eva looked him in the eye. "I have to go, Adrian. If there is even a chance she knows where Helena is..."
Adrian stayed silent for a long moment.
Then he nodded, though he didn't look happy about it. "If you're going, I'm coming with you."
"I wouldn't have it any other way."
The Metropolitan Detention Center stood like a cold concrete fortress at the edge of the city.
Eva had never been inside a prison before. The reality hit her: metal detectors, guards, and heavy doors slamming shut behind her made her stomach turn.
This was where people ended up when society gave up on them. It was where hope disappeared.
And somewhere inside, her half-sister was waiting.
The visitation room was small and plain, divided by thick glass with phones on each side. Eva sat in a plastic chair, Adrian beside her, and waited.
When Reena appeared on the other side of the glass, Eva hardly recognized her.
The polished, calculating woman who had orchestrated Eva's downfall was gone.
In her place sat someone tired and weak. Her hair was lifeless, her face thin, and dark circles covered her eyes. The prison orange made her skin look pale, making her seem sick and fragile.
She looked broken.
Reena picked up the phone on her side. Eva picked up hers, too.
"You came." Reena's voice was rough, like she had been crying or screaming. "I wasn't sure you would come."
"Well, you said you have information about Helena. That was enough for me to consider your request. I'm here because I need answers, and I hope you understand that's the only reason why I am here. Now tell me honestly, do you really know where Helena is? Or is there another reason you wanted to see me now?"
"I do." Reena's eyes flickered to Adrian, then back to Eva. "But first, I need to tell you something. Something I should have told you years ago."
Eva's jaw tightened. "I'm not here for apologies, Reena. If you want to talk about what you did before, forget it. I'm here for information."
"This is information. That's where it all began. You need to know about that." Reena leaned closer to the glass, her face serious."
A sudden flash of pain crossed her face, old guilt in her voice. "There are things about that night on your eighteenth birthday that you never realized. Things that still haunt me now. Things aren't what you think. You don't know what really happened."
Eva's heart skipped a beat. "I know what happened. You set me up and drugged me, tried to ruin my innocence. What else is there to know?"
"Yes. But not the way you think." Reena's voice lowered. "The drink I gave you wasn't meant to knock you out. It was meant to make you... obedient. Easy to control. Mother's instructions were clear. She wanted you weakened, not unconscious."
Eva felt sick. "What are you saying?"