DANGEROUS SECRETS
Serena sat in the corner booth of a quiet café, sunglasses hiding the fire in her eyes.
Evan arrived minutes later, looking nervous.
"You said you found something," she said, crossing her arms. "Talk."
Evan leaned forward.
"I dug into Elara's past," he whispered. "Her childhood records… hospital files."
Serena's lips curved.
"And?"
"She wasn't born poor," he said. "Her birth certificate doesn't match her current identity."
Serena stiffened.
"There was a switch," Evan continued. "Two babies born the same day at the same hospital. One went missing."
Serena's breath caught.
"You think…?" she whispered.
"I'm sure," Evan said. "Elara might be the real heiress."
Serena's fingers tightened around her cup.
"No," she muttered. "That's impossible."
But fear crept into her eyes.
If Elara was the true heiress…
Then I'm the fake one.
Her jaw clenched.
"Destroy those files," she ordered.
"I already made copies," Evan smirked. "Insurance."
Serena glared.
"What do you want?"
He smiled slowly.
"I want Elara back."
Serena laughed coldly.
"You're pathetic," she said. "But fine. Help me ruin her first."
---
At the office
Lucien watched Elara from across the room.
She laughed with a coworker.
It irritated him.
Why did he care?
He walked over.
"Come with me," he said.
She frowned.
"To where?"
"My office."
Her coworkers exchanged looks.
Inside, Lucien shut the door.
"You embarrassed Serena today," he said.
"She deserved it."
He didn't argue.
Instead, he stepped closer.
"You don't belong to her world," he said quietly. "Be careful."
Elara scoffed.
"You don't get to warn me after letting her insult me."
He looked away.
"…I'm not good at protecting people," he admitted.
She softened slightly.
"Then learn," she said.
Their eyes met.
For a moment, the office faded.
---
Elsewhere
Serena sat in her car, shaking.
What if she's really the heiress?
Her phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
She answered.
"Serena Vale," a woman's voice said. "Do you remember the hospital from 23 years ago?"
Serena's heart dropped.
"I have proof," the woman continued.
"Your life is built on a lie."
Serena screamed and threw her phone.
"No!" she whispered. "I won't lose everything."
Her eyes hardened.
"If Elara is the truth…"
She smiled darkly.
"…then I'll bury the truth."