Sara couldn't sleep.
Since she had overheard her aunts' conversation, every sound in the mansion made her jump.
Each fake look of affection sent chills down her spine.
And each step in the hallway sounded like a threat.
But she wasn't going to sit back and do nothing.
That night, while everyone else slept, she got up quietly.
Persi, as always, followed her without a sound.
Together, they crept downstairs and reached her father's study.
The door was locked.
"It doesn't matter," Sara whispered. "I know where the spare key is."
She walked to the backyard.
Under a stone, hidden among the wet grass, was the copy her father used to keep there in case he ever forgot the original.
With trembling hands, she unlocked the door.
The air inside smelled of old paper and damp wood.
Everything was exactly how she remembered it.
Even the large black leather chair where her father used to sit and read.
She approached the desk — big, carved oak, with side drawers that were never completely empty.
She opened one… nothing.
Another… just old papers.
Until she found something interesting: a folder hidden beneath other documents.
When she opened it, she saw a family photo… but not the usual kind.
It was a picture of her father, standing next to a man she didn't recognize.
Behind them, a dark, abandoned building.
And below it, a note written in her father's handwriting:
"If anything happens to me, trust Yuri. He knows who I really am."
A chill ran through Sara.
What did he mean by "really am"?
Just then, she heard a noise behind her.
"What are you doing here?"
It was Evelyn.
Sara slammed the folder shut, but it was too late.
Evelyn watched her with a mix of surprise… and fear?
"This is my house," Sara replied, trying to stay calm. "I can be wherever I want."
"This place isn't just for you any more," Evelyn said, stepping closer. "We're your family now. You need to start understanding that."
"We will never be my family," Sara shot back. "You only want the money. I know. I heard you talking."
"Heard us say what?"
"That you want to take everything from me. That you plan to send me away. That you'll use the law against me."
There was a heavy silence. Too long.
Finally, Evelyn sighed.
"You're right," she said. "Agatha wants control. But I… I didn't come for that."
"Then why did you come?" Sara asked, suspicious.
Evelyn glanced toward the door, as if someone might be listening.
"Your father… he knew things. Dangerous things. Things you might know now, too."
"What are you talking about?"
"He didn't die in an accident, Sara."
The words dropped like a bomb.
"What?"
"He was murdered," Evelyn whispered. "And not by just anyone."
Sara took a step back.
"Who?"
Evelyn shook her head.
"I can't tell you yet. But I will say this: more people are involved than you think."
"And Yuri…"
"He knows more than he lets on."
Just as she was about to say more, the study door burst open.
Agatha entered, followed by Clara and two men dressed in dark suits.
"Enough!" Agatha snapped. "This is over."
Sara stepped back, clutching the folder to her chest.
"Who are they?" she asked, trembling.
"They're legal representatives," Agatha said. "As of today, we have legal custody over you."
"That can't be true!"
"It is," one of the men said. "We've reviewed the documents. Miss Agatha has the right to make decisions on your behalf."
Sara looked at Evelyn.
She said nothing. Just lowered her gaze.
"We're sending you to a boarding school," Agatha continued. "There, you'll learn manners, discipline… and how to respect those who care for you."
"I'm not going anywhere!" Sara shouted. "This is my home!"
"No, it isn't," Agatha smiled coldly. "Now I'm in charge."
Before they could do anything else, Yuri appeared behind them.
"I think you need to leave," he said calmly — but his voice carried a clear warning.
"And who do you think you are, giving us orders?" Agatha snapped.
Yuri took a step forward. Tall. Firm. With that dark gaze that always seemed to see beyond people.
"I'm the only one who knows how this house truly moves," he said. "And if you try to take her without respecting the rules, you may find out that taking what doesn't belong to you isn't as easy as you think."
The two men exchanged glances.
Agatha tightened her lips.
"This isn't over," she threatened.
"No," Yuri replied. "That's what you think."
With one last glare filled with hatred, Agatha turned on her heel and stormed out of the study, followed by the others.
Sara took a deep breath.
"How did you know they were here?"
Yuri didn't answer right away. He just looked at her.
"Because when something changes in this house," he said, "I always feel it."
Without another word, he turned and left.
Sara stood alone, the folder in her hands and a thousand questions in her mind.
What did her father mean by "trust Yuri"?
What did Yuri know that no one else did?
And most importantly…
Who killed her parents?