Ariella sat in shock, the birth certificate gripped tightly in her trembling hands.
Her name wasn't Ariella Brooks.
She wasn't an orphan.
She wasn't insignificant.
She was Isabelle Devereux—taken from a family she had never known, concealed in a life that wasn't hers.
Her heart raced as she tried to understand the implications. If the Devereux family was as influential as Madeline claimed, why had she been abducted? And why hadn't anyone searched for her?
Leo was beside her, his face set and protective. He intertwined his fingers with hers, providing comfort. "Ariella," he said softly.
She barely registered his voice. Her thoughts were a whirlwind. Who had taken her? Why?
What other truths had been hidden from her?
Madeline shifted nervously. "I know this is overwhelming, but… this is only the start."
Ariella's stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"
Madeline took a breath, glancing at Leo before continuing. "I did some more research. The Devereux family didn't just vanish after your abduction. They fell apart."
Ariella gasped. "What?"
Leo's expression darkened. "How?"
Madeline paused. "Your mother—your real mother—was killed."
Ariella went still.
The room felt like it was spinning.
Leo tightened his hold on her. "Killed?" he repeated, his voice low and tense.
Madeline confirmed with a nod. "Not by accident. She was murdered."
Ariella struggled to breathe.
Madeline's voice softened. "She was one of the richest women in the country, but after her death… everything crumbled. Your father vanished soon after. No one knows where he is."
Ariella clutched her belly, feeling suddenly sick.
Leo's face was unreadable, but she sensed he was processing everything beneath his calm facade.
"You're saying," Leo said carefully, "that her mother was murdered and her father went into hiding?"
Madeline nodded. "Yes. And Isabelle—" She looked directly at Ariella. "You were gone."
Ariella felt a throbbing pain in her head. The information was overwhelming and hard to believe. "How can this be real?" she murmured.
Madeline paused before revealing another envelope. "You need to see this too."
Ariella hesitated but then took it with trembling hands.
Inside was a photograph.
A black-and-white picture of a baby, swaddled in silk, sleeping soundly.
A name was elegantly written on the back.
Isabelle Devereux.
Ariella's throat tightened.
Her heart raced.
It was her.
Breathless, she looked at Madeline. "Where did you find this?"
Madeline took a deep breath. "From someone who knew your mother. They think you're in danger."
Ariella tensed. "What do you mean by danger?"
Madeline's face grew serious. "The people who took you? They had more sinister plans."
Leo's body went rigid next to her. "What were they trying to do?"
Madeline's tone was heavy.
"Erase you."
Ariella could barely recall how she ended up in this situation. Staring at the old photo, the birth certificate, proof of a life she never knew existed.
Leo paced the room, his anger and frustration barely contained.
"She was killed. Her father disappeared. And you—" He paused, rubbing his face. "You were taken. Someone wanted to eliminate your whole family."
Ariella trembled. "But why?"
Leo's jaw clenched. "That's what we need to uncover."
Ariella looked at Madeline. "Who provided you with this information?"
Madeline hesitated. "A man named Vincent Crowne."
Leo froze.
Ariella frowned. "Who is he?"
Leo's face darkened. "A powerful man. And not in a good way."
Madeline agreed. "He told me that if I wanted to learn about you, I had to come to you directly."
Ariella narrowed her gaze. "So why didn't he come himself?"
Madeline bit her lip. "Because he doesn't want to be seen. He's in hiding."
Leo scoffed. "Of course he is."
Ariella looked back at the birth certificate, her fingers gliding over the paper. Her entire life had been a deception.
Now, she confronted a frightening reality.
If she was part of the Devereux bloodline, if her mother was murdered, and her father disappeared, then someone had gone through great lengths to ensure she never found out.
This could only mean one thing.
The person responsible was still out there.
And if they knew she was alive…
She was their unfinished business.
That night, Ariella lay in bed, unable to find sleep. Her mother's letter echoed in her mind.
"There are people who will try to control you, people who will try to take what is rightfully yours."
She turned to Leo. "I need to speak with Vincent Crowne."
Leo sighed. "I feared you'd say that."
Ariella sat up, her determination growing. "Leo, this is bigger than just me now. If someone wanted me out of the way, we need to understand why."
Leo's jaw tightened. "And what if meeting him puts you in greater danger?"
Ariella met his eyes. "Then we prepare."
Leo sighed, rubbing his temples before agreeing. "Alright. But we do it my way."
Ariella nodded. "Deal."
Leo grabbed his phone. "I'll make some calls."
Ariella's heart raced.
For the first time, she had a real name. A real history.
And she wouldn't let anyone take that from her again.
The following evening, Ariella and Leo arrived at a hidden warehouse on the city's edge.
Inside, a single dim light flickered.
A man stood in the shadows, wearing a sharp black suit, his silver hair neatly styled.
Vincent Crowne.
His eyes darted to Ariella, and for a brief moment, she thought she saw surprise in his expression.
"So," he said smoothly, "the lost Devereux heir finally returns."
Ariella tensed. "What do you know?"
Vincent smiled slyly. "Oh, I know quite a bit."
Ariella's hands twitched. "Then spill it."
Vincent moved closer, his eyes shining. "Do you realize what was taken from you?"
Ariella's heart raced. "What is it?"
Vincent grinned. "Your family's wealth. Your inheritance. And most importantly?"
His expression turned serious.
"Your birthright."
Ariella felt a chill run through her.
Leo held her tighter.
Vincent leaned in, speaking softly.
"Someone has taken everything from you, Isabelle. Now, it's time for you to reclaim it."
Ariella's heart raced. Because now she understood. Her battle wasn't just about her history.
It was about getting back everything that was lost.
And she wouldn't rest until she succeeded.