Nora sat alone in the study, her fingers trembling as she turned to the final page of the diary. Zayan had left her alone with it, sensing she needed space. Her eyes scanned the page, her breath hitching as she read:
"I loved her so much, but sadly, we couldn't be together. My mother forbade it. That night we shared—our only night—was unforgettable. Every moment with her was precious. She looked so beautiful, and she was carrying my baby inside her. When my mother found out, she had her thrown out before I could even come home. I was furious. I tried to reach her, but mother warned me: if I ever tried to find her again, she would kill both her and the child. I never saw them again—my love, Aveline… and my daughter, who bears a star-shaped mark on her left hand."
Nora froze. Her heart stopped. Slowly, she looked down at her own hand.
The same star mark.
Panic surged through her like a storm. Her mind raced. She couldn't breathe, couldn't think. She just sat there, rereading the same line, again and again.
Zayan, returning from down the hall, saw her stiff posture. "Darling?" he called softly.
No response.
He stepped closer, eyes narrowing as he saw the diary clutched in her trembling hands. Then, he read the line over her shoulder—his father's words. Realization struck him.
"Nora? Nora!" he shouted.
She snapped out of her trance, stuttering. "H-h-h-hu…"
"Are you okay?" Zayan asked, concern etched across his face.
She nodded mechanically and stood, walking away in silence. Her mind was a storm of questions and emotions. Later that evening, as she watched Aveline being served tea by Sage, an idea struck her.
The plan was delicate.
Aveline reached for the cup, but a small blaze from the candle nearby startled her. She gasped as the cup shattered in her hand.
"Ouchhhhhhh!" she cried out as blood spilled over the table.
Nora rushed forward with a tiny container in hand. "Let me help," she said calmly.
Aveline, groaning in pain, allowed her to collect the blood. Nora then bandaged her hand, cleaned the mess, helped her change, and quietly left the room.
But she didn't know Zayan had surveillance cameras all over the mansion. He watched as she snuck out through the back gate and took off running.
She ran like her life depended on it.
She made it to the hospital, breathless. "I need to see a doctor, please," she pleaded.
"Do you have an appointment?" the nurse asked.
"No," she gasped. "But it's urgent. Please."
Before the nurse could say more, a familiar voice called out, "Miss Nora?"
She turned—it was Doctor Caius, the same surgeon who had operated on Asher.
Relief flooded her face. "Doctor, please, I need to do a DNA test. Now. It's urgent."
"A DNA test?" he asked. "What's wrong?"
"This," she said, handing him the small container. "It's blood from someone named Aveline. I need to compare it with mine. Please… I need to know if she's my mother."
The doctor nodded, calming her. "Okay, okay. Sit down. I'll make the arrangements."
Unbeknownst to Nora, Zayan had followed her and stood at a distance.
Forty minutes later, the results were back.
A perfect match. 100%.
Aveline… was her mother.
Nora's blood boiled. Her fists clenched, and her face turned cold. Anger thundered in her chest like a storm ready to erupt.
Zayan stepped closer. "Nora," he called softly.
She turned, startled.
His eyes landed on the paper in her hand. "You did a DNA test?" he asked gently.
She didn't answer, only stared at him.
"I already knew…" he admitted. "I overheard her—Aveline—mention it."
Her world stopped again.
"You… knew?" she whispered. Her voice was low, broken, heavy with betrayal.
"I—I was trying to protect you—" Zayan began.
"You knew and didn't tell me…" she said, her voice trembling with fury. "You knew all this time… and you didn't tell me?!"
"Nora, please—"
"It's fine," she said, stepping back. Her voice was now hollow. Cold. "It's all fine."
"Nora. Nora, wait," Zayan pleaded, stepping toward her.
But she was already gone.