Cole’s expression stayed skeptical, jaw tight. “That’s a convenient story. How can you possibly prove any of this is true?”
As if anticipating the question, Victor reached into his inner jacket pocket and withdrew a small, ornate wooden box. He held it out toward Cole with both hands in a gesture of profound respect.
Cole accepted the box and opened the lid. The instant he saw what lay inside, he shot to his feet, hands trembling slightly as he gripped Victor’s arm. “Please, get up from the ground. There’s no need for that.”
Inside the box lay a carefully folded letter, the envelope addressed to Cole in Sophie’s distinctive, elegant handwriting—a script Cole would recognize anywhere.
Anywhere in the world. That particular flowing style was impossible to forge or replicate. The letter was unquestionably authentic. Follow current nov?ls on F?nd-Novel.net
With shaking fingers, Cole unfolded the precious paper and began reading. In it, Sophie explained that Victor had been her most trusted and loyal servant for many years, and that Cole could trust him without any reservation whatsoever.
Once Cole had helped him to his feet, Victor stood perfectly upright with his hands clasped respectfully in front of him. “Thank you very much, Mr. Evans.” After reading through Sophie’s heartfelt letter, Elliana’s initial suspicion toward Victor had completely melted away. “Please, come sit down,” she said warmly.
Cole even moved to pull out a chair for Victor, but Victor shook his head gently. “I would prefer to remain standing while I deliver the message.”
Seeing that Victor wouldn’t budge, Cole decided not to push the matter and got straight to the burning question consuming his thoughts. “Where is my mother right now?”
Sophie’s letter had only vouched for Victor’s loyalty and trustworthiness—nothing beyond that. Any real answers would have to come directly from Victor himself.
Victor released a heavy, sorrowful sigh before beginning his explanation. “This letter… your mother wrote it many years ago. She gave me specific instructions that if anything terrible ever happened to her, I was to travel to Ublento and bring this letter to you.”
Latest stories on ?com
“Something terrible?” The words hit Cole like a punch to the chest. He went completely rigid, his voice barely working as he forced out the question. “Are you saying my mother is—”
“No, no! She’s still alive,” Victor said quickly, raising his hands. “Please, let me explain everything.”
A wave of relief flooded Cole’s body. He nodded silently, waiting with desperate patience for Victor to continue his story.
Victor then began sharing what had happened to Sophie after she had left the Evans family all those years ago.
Just as Elliana and Cole had suspected, Sophie had left Ublento with Rita. Sophie had made the choice to follow Rita, naturally, because of her debilitating Psychephrenia condition. At that time, Rita hadn’t yet managed to develop a complete cure for the illness, but she had successfully created a powerful medication designed to suppress the violent episodes. Staying close to Rita had been the safest possible option for Sophie’s survival.
.
.
.