Elena woke up late in the morning. Her head hurt. Her eyes were heavy from crying the night before. She sat up slowly and looked around the small room. David was still sleeping beside her. His face was swollen. He had cried too much.
Elena touched his hair gently. "I'm sorry, David," she whispered. "I didn't want our life to be like this."
She stood up and walked to the kitchen. The house was quiet. Too quiet. She didn't like the silence because it made her think too much. She boiled water and looked at the cupboard. Only one pack of noodles left. Just one. She sighed. Life was too hard.
While the water was boiling, her mind went back to Damon's voice from last night.
"You will move into my house next week."
She still felt fear in her stomach. She didn't hate him, but she didn't trust him either. He talked too boldly. He acted like he owned everyone around him.
Elena touched her chest. "Can I really live with someone like that?"
She was still thinking when the door opened slowly. She turned quickly, her heart jumping.
But it was Melissa.
Melissa entered quietly. She didn't look surprised or confused. She already knew everything because David had told her the night before. Still, her eyes were full of worry.
"Elena," Melissa said softly, "how are you feeling?"
Elena shook her head. "I don't know. I feel tired."
Melissa walked to her and hugged her. "David told me everything. He said you found your real father and that it is Damon Steel. I didn't believe it at first, but then I remembered the way you described the man you met yesterday. Everything matches."
Elena let out a weak breath. "It still feels unreal."
Melissa pulled back a little. "You must be scared."
"I am," Elena admitted. "Very scared."
Melissa looked around the kitchen. "You cooked?"
"Only noodles," Elena said. "There's nothing else."
Melissa nodded sadly. She knew their life had been full of struggle. She had seen it for years.
Just then, David walked out of the bedroom. He looked tired too, like he barely slept.
"Elena…" he whispered.
She smiled at him, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. "Good morning."
David walked straight to her and hugged her waist. "I don't want you to go."
Melissa touched his shoulder. "David, relax. She's not leaving today."
David wiped his eyes. "But it feels like she already left."
Elena hugged him back. "Don't say that. I'm still here. I haven't gone anywhere yet."
They sat around the small table and ate the noodles together. No one talked. They all had different thoughts in their mind.
After breakfast, Melissa broke the silence. "Elena… did Damon call again?"
"Yes," Elena said quietly. "Last night."
"And?" Melissa asked.
Elena swallowed. "He said I must move in next week. And he said… he said there is something my mother didn't tell me."
Melissa froze. "Something about Vanessa?"
"Yes."
David looked scared. "What does he mean? What else is Mom hiding?"
Elena shook her head. "I don't know. But it sounded serious."
Melissa sighed deeply. "Your mother is full of secrets, Elena. You know that."
Elena nodded. "She came here this morning."
Melissa raised her eyebrows. "Again? What did she want this time?"
Elena clenched her fists. "Money. Only money. She said Damon threw her out years ago like trash. She said she wants revenge. She said I should never forget that she is my mother."
David made a face. "Our mother? She doesn't act like one."
Elena agreed. "I'm tired. Very tired."
Melissa placed her hand on Elena's. "You're strong. You can handle this."
"I don't feel strong," Elena whispered. "I feel lost."
Melissa looked at her seriously. "Listen. Moving into that mansion might be scary, but maybe it's your chance. Maybe it's time for something better."
Elena slowly shook her head. "Better? Or worse?"
Melissa sighed. "I don't know. But staying here won't change anything."
Elena looked at David again. His brown eyes were full of fear, like he was a small boy again. She held his hand tightly.
"I will still check on you," she said. "I will call. I will visit. I won't leave you alone."
David sniffed. "I don't trust him."
"Me neither," Elena said honestly. "But I will try."
The day went on slowly. Elena washed clothes, swept the house, and tried to keep her mind busy. Melissa stayed with them for hours, helping with cleaning and telling jokes to lighten the mood. But the fear inside Elena refused to go away.
Later in the afternoon, Melissa stood up to leave. "I'll come tomorrow," she said. "You need support."
Elena hugged her. "Thank you."
When Melissa left, the room went quiet again.
David sat beside her on the sofa. "Elena… what if that man only wants you for something bad? What if he's hiding something?"
Elena touched his cheek. "I don't know. But I can't run away. He is my father. If I run, he will come after me."
David sighed deeply. "I hate this."
"I know," she whispered.
Hours passed.
Evening came.
Then Elena's phone rang.
Her heart jumped when she saw the name.
**Damon Steel**
Her hands shook a little as she answered.
"Yes… hello?"
"Elena," Damon said, his voice strong and cold. "I hope you are preparing."
Elena rubbed her forehead. "Sir, I'm trying."
"Good," he replied. "Because I don't want any delay. You are coming next week."
Elena cleared her throat. "I still have my brother. I have many things—"
"I will handle your brother," Damon cut her off. "I will arrange a better place for him soon."
Elena felt a sting in her heart. "He doesn't trust you yet."
"That's not my problem," Damon replied. "My problem is you. And I need you to get ready."
She bit her lip. "Sir… why can't we talk about this properly? Why can't you give me time?"
"Because time is dangerous," Damon said. "Time makes people think too much. And when people think too much, they make mistakes."
Elena felt confused. "What does that mean?"
Damon paused. "There is something you must know about your mother. Something big. Something she hid from you for years."
Elena's hands grew cold. "Why can't you tell me now?"
His voice became deeper. "Because someone might be listening. And because the truth could shake you."
Elena's heart dropped. "Shake me?"
"Yes," Damon said. "Prepare yourself. The moment you enter this house, everything will change."
Her voice was small. "Sir… is it something about… the night you met my mother?"
Another long silence.
Then Damon said slowly:
"Elena… your mother lied to you. About everything."
Her breath caught in her throat.
"What… what did she lie about?" Elena whispered.
"You will know soon," Damon replied. "And when you hear it, your life will never be the same."
Before she could speak, he ended the call.
The phone fell from Elena's hand.
She stared at nothing.
Her chest felt tight.
She didn't know what scared her more—
Moving into Damon's mansion…
Or the truth that was waiting for her there.