Chapter 18 - The Unbroken Promise
Evelyn slowly, cautiously received the heavy yellow envelope directly from Harrison's steady hand.
Her fingers trembled visibly as she carefully broke the traditional, heavy red wax seal on the flap.
Inside was an old, faded, legal document stamped by a supreme foreign court over twenty long years ago.
She quietly read the prominent top heading of the ancient document out loud to the quiet room.
"The Last Will and Legal Directives of Victoria Vance..." Evelyn read, her trembling voice cracking midway.
She slowly lifted her eyes, staring at Harrison in absolute, complete, and utter confusion.
"My mother died tragic in a violent highway car accident when I was barely five years old," Evelyn said softly.
"That was merely the official cover story fed to the public," Harrison corrected her with immense gentleness.
"The dark reality behind that night was far more sinister, Evelyn."
"Your mother did not perish in a roadside accident twenty years ago."
"She was framed by Julian's father and forced to fake her death to escape an immediate assassination."
"And Julian was specifically instructed to marry you to guarantee she could never return to claim her domain."
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Evelyn felt the solid floor beneath her feet completely give way, her breath violently freezing in her throat.
"My... my mother... is still alive somewhere?!" Evelyn gasped out, warm tears overflowing her eyes instantly.
