Chapter 1 - The Shattered Mirror
Julian stared at the terrified young maid, his chest heaving beneath the immaculate black tuxedo jacket. The polished marble floor beneath his custom leather shoes felt suddenly unstable, as if the entire grand estate was collapsing into a dark abyss. Clara stood beside him, her elegant dark red silk gown rustling softly as she trembled, her face draining of all natural color under the brilliant glow of the crystal chandeliers.
"Tell me what?" Julian demanded, his voice echoing sharply against the ornate gold trim of the high vaulted walls.
Clara stepped forward, her hand reaching out to grab his sleeve, but he jerked his arm away with a harsh, defensive motion.
"Julian, please, calm down," Clara whispered frantically, her eyes darting toward the trembling girl in the blue maid dress. "We can handle this in private, away from the staff and the guests."
"Don't you dare tell me to calm down!" Julian shouted, his rage finally breaking through his usual cool composure. "She just said the word daughter! My daughter! For God's sake, Clara, what is she talking about?"
Clara shook her head violently, tears finally spilling over her eyelashes. "You were never supposed to tell him," she muttered, echoing the forbidden truth that had just destroyed their lives.
The young maid, whose name badge read Chloe, took a ragged breath and looked directly into Julian’s hollow eyes. "She said your daughter must never know who you are," Chloe repeated, her voice cracking with suppressed emotion.
Julian felt a cold sweat break out across his forehead. "My daughter?" he whispered, the word tasting foreign and impossible on his tongue.
"She’s been drawing you for three years, but she’s never seen your face," Chloe continued, her gaze unwavering. "Where is she?"
"Who are you talking about?" Julian grabbed Chloe by her shoulders, his grip tight enough to bruise. "Who has been drawing me?"
May you like
Chloe winced in pain, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. "Your daughter, Elena. And the woman who raised her in secret... is your first wife, whom you buried five years ago."
---
