Bella spent the next few days in a haze of anticipation and anxiety. Every moment felt like a countdown to the auction at the Kingsley estate, where she hoped to find answers that had eluded her for so long. Despite her fear, she knew she couldn't back out—not now.
The invitation had arrived like a lifeline, offering a path into the heart of the mystery surrounding her birth. The Kingsley estate was no ordinary place; it was a sprawling mansion on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by high walls and rumors of untold wealth. And it was a place that had been sealed off to the public since Lucas Kingsley's disappearance.
Emily had done her best to dig up information, but the Kingsley family was an enigma, wrapped in layers of secrecy. They had influence, connections, and a reputation for being untouchable. If anyone held the answers Bella sought, they would be found within those walls.
On the day of the auction, Bella stood in front of her mirror, trying to calm her racing heart. She had chosen her outfit carefully—a simple black dress that was both elegant and understated. She didn't want to draw too much attention to herself, but she also needed to look like she belonged.
As she fastened a delicate silver necklace around her neck, her phone buzzed with a message from Emily.
"Good luck, Bella. I'm here if you need anything."
Bella smiled at the screen, grateful for her friend's support. She typed back a quick thank you before slipping the phone into her clutch. There was no turning back now.
The auction was being held in the evening, and the sun was just beginning to set as Bella arrived at the Kingsley estate. The long driveway was lined with tall, ancient trees, their branches forming a canopy that cast eerie shadows on the ground. As she approached the gates, she could see the mansion looming in the distance, its windows glowing with warm light.
A guard at the entrance checked her invitation, then nodded and waved her through. Bella's heart pounded in her chest as she drove up the winding road, feeling as though she were entering a world completely different from her own.
The Kingsley estate was even more magnificent up close. The mansion was a masterpiece of architecture, with towering columns, intricate stonework, and wide marble steps leading up to the entrance. The garden surrounding the estate was meticulously maintained, with fountains and statues placed strategically among the manicured hedges.
As Bella stepped out of her car, she noticed other guests arriving, each one dressed in expensive attire that exuded wealth and power. She felt a pang of insecurity, wondering if she could truly blend in with these people. But she reminded herself of why she was here and straightened her shoulders, determined to see this through.
Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was even more opulent. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm glow over the room. The walls were adorned with priceless artwork, and the floors were polished to a mirror-like shine. Guests mingled in small groups, sipping champagne and making polite conversation.
Bella felt a sense of déjà vu as she walked through the grand hall, as if she had been here before. But she knew that was impossible—she had never set foot in the Kingsley estate. Still, the feeling persisted, growing stronger with each step.
She was drawn to a large painting hanging on the wall, depicting a man and a woman standing in front of the mansion. The man was tall and imposing, with dark hair and sharp features. The woman was elegant and beautiful, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and determination. Bella couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen these people before.
"Admiring the family portrait?"
The voice startled Bella, and she turned to see a man standing beside her. He was older, with graying hair and a kind smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He was dressed in a tailored suit, and there was an air of authority about him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare," Bella said quickly, feeling a flush of embarrassment.
The man waved her apology away. "No need to apologize. The Kingsleys are a fascinating family, aren't they?"
Bella nodded, unsure of how to respond. She didn't want to reveal too much about why she was here, especially to someone she didn't know.
"I'm Edward, by the way," the man said, extending his hand. "Edward Kingsley."
Bella's heart skipped a beat. This was one of them—a Kingsley. She shook his hand, trying to keep her expression neutral. "Bella," she replied, omitting her last name on purpose.
"Pleasure to meet you, Bella. Are you here for the auction, or do you have other business with the family?" Edward's tone was casual, but Bella couldn't help but feel like he was probing for information.
"Just the auction," she said with a smile that she hoped didn't betray her nervousness.
Edward nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer before he turned back to the portrait. "This is my brother, Lucas, and his wife, Evelyn. They were quite the pair—he with his ambition, and she with her beauty. But as you may have heard, they're both gone now."
Bella swallowed, her throat dry. "Gone? What happened to them?"
Edward glanced at her, a strange expression crossing his face. "Lucas disappeared many years ago, and Evelyn...well, she passed away not long after. It was a difficult time for the family."
Bella felt a chill run down her spine. This was the man who might be her father, the man who had vanished without a trace. And Evelyn—was she the woman from her dream?
Before she could ask more, a bell chimed, signaling the start of the auction. Edward gave her a polite nod and excused himself, leaving Bella standing alone in front of the portrait.
The auction took place in a grand ballroom, with rows of chairs set up for the guests. At the front of the room was a stage where the auctioneer would present the items for bidding. Bella found a seat near the back, wanting to observe without drawing too much attention to herself.
As the auction began, Bella watched the proceedings with mild interest. The items being sold were rare and valuable—antiques, artwork, jewelry—but none of them held any significance for her. She was here for something else, though she wasn't sure what it was yet.
Then, halfway through the auction, the lights dimmed, and the auctioneer's voice took on a more serious tone. "Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is a very special piece—one with great historical significance to the Kingsley family."
A large, ornate box was brought onto the stage, covered with a velvet cloth. The auctioneer pulled the cloth away, revealing a beautifully crafted music box. It was made of dark wood, inlaid with mother-of-pearl, and decorated with intricate carvings. The crowd murmured in appreciation.
"This music box belonged to Evelyn Kingsley, the late wife of Lucas Kingsley," the auctioneer explained. "It has been passed down through the generations, a cherished heirloom of the family. The music it plays was composed by Evelyn herself."
Bella's breath caught in her throat. The music box—it looked so familiar. Without thinking, she raised her hand, signaling her bid.
The auctioneer acknowledged her bid, and the room fell silent as others considered whether to challenge it. A few more bids were placed, but Bella continued to raise her hand, determined to win. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the auctioneer's gavel came down.
"Sold to the lady in the back," he announced.
Bella barely registered the applause as the music box was carefully wrapped and handed to her. She clutched it tightly, her mind racing with questions. What was it about this music box that had compelled her to bid on it? And why did it feel so important?
After the auction, Bella made her way to a quiet corner of the estate, away from the prying eyes of the other guests. She needed to examine the music box, to understand why it had called to her.
She carefully opened the lid, revealing a delicate ballerina figurine inside. As she wound the key, the music began to play—a hauntingly beautiful melody that sent shivers down her spine. It was the same tune from her dream, the one the woman had sung.
Bella's hands trembled as she listened to the music, memories flashing through her mind. The grand estate, the crumbling garden, the woman's voice—it all made sense now. This music box had once belonged to her mother, Evelyn Kingsley. And the woman in her dreams was her mother, reaching out to her from beyond the grave.
As the last notes of the melody faded away, Bella noticed something unusual about the music box. There was a small compartment hidden beneath the ballerina, barely visible. With shaking fingers, she pried it open, revealing a folded piece of paper inside.
Her heart pounded as she unfolded the paper, her eyes scanning the words. It was a letter, written in elegant script—a letter from Evelyn to her daughter, the daughter she had been forced to leave behind.
The letter was brief but filled with emotion. Evelyn spoke of her love for her child, her regrets, and the danger that had forced her to send Bella away. She urged Bella to find the truth about her father's disappearance, to uncover the secrets that had torn their family apart.
And at the bottom of the letter, in faded ink, was a single name—Alexander.
Bella stared at the name, her mind racing. Alexander—was he the key to everything? Was he the one who knew the truth about her father, about what had happened all those years ago?
She knew she had to find him, whoever he was. The music box had led her this far, and now it was pointing her toward the next step in her journey.
With the letter clutched tightly in her hand, Bella made her way back through the grand halls of the Kingsley estate, her resolve stronger than ever. She was closer to the truth than she had ever been, but the path ahead was still shrouded in darkness. And she knew that the secrets she was about to uncover would change her life forever.