Chapter 5: The Family Secrets
The warmth of the fireplace and the comforting presence of Martha and Ethan gave Yelena a sense of belonging she hadn’t felt in years. But as the initial shock of meeting her brother and learning about her father began to fade, her mind buzzed with questions. What kind of dangerous life had her father led? Who were these enemies he had feared? And most importantly, what did it all mean for her now?
Martha bustled around the small kitchen, preparing a pot of tea, while Ethan leaned back in his chair, his sharp eyes studying Yelena. She could tell he was weighing how much to tell her, how much she could handle.
“Ethan,” Yelena began, her voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside her, “you said our father was involved in something dangerous. What exactly did he do?”
Ethan exchanged a glance with Martha, who nodded slightly, encouraging him to continue. He sighed and ran a hand through his dark hair, his expression serious.
“Our father wasn’t just an ordinary man,” Ethan said. “He was… well, he was a fixer. Someone people went to when they had problems they couldn’t solve on their own. He had connections—powerful ones. But those connections came with a price.”
Yelena frowned, trying to piece together what he was saying. “A fixer? You mean, like a problem solver? For who? Criminals?”
Ethan shook his head. “Not just criminals. Politicians, businessmen, anyone who needed something done discreetly. He was good at what he did, but it made him a lot of enemies. People who didn’t like how much influence he had.”
Yelena’s mind raced. Her father had been a man of power and influence, someone who operated in the shadows. It was a far cry from the image she had of him as a simple man from a poor village.
“So, what happened?” she asked. “Why did he have to send me away?”
Ethan’s jaw tightened, and he looked away for a moment before answering. “There was a deal that went bad. Someone double-crossed him, and it turned into a bloodbath. Our father barely made it out alive, but he knew the people he was up against wouldn’t stop until they got what they wanted. And what they wanted was him—and anyone connected to him.”
Yelena’s breath caught in her throat. “So he sent me away to protect me.”
Ethan nodded. “He thought if you were far away, with a family who had no ties to his world, you’d be safe. And for a while, it worked. But after he died, things… changed.”
Yelena’s heart ached at the thought of her father sacrificing so much to keep her safe. But there was still one question burning in her mind.
“What about my mother?” she asked. “Why did she leave?”
Ethan hesitated, his expression darkening. “Your mother… she wasn’t like our father. She didn’t want that life. When things got too dangerous, she left. She didn’t even say goodbye.”
Yelena felt a pang of sadness. Her mother had abandoned her, just like the Roberts family had. But there was something in Ethan’s tone that made her wonder if there was more to the story.
“Do you know where she went?” Yelena asked.
Ethan shook his head. “No one knows. She disappeared without a trace. But…” He paused, as if debating whether to continue.
“But what?” Yelena pressed.
Ethan leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “There are rumors. Some people say she went into hiding, that she’s still out there somewhere. Others say she’s dead. But no one knows for sure.”
Yelena’s heart sank. Her mother was a mystery, a ghost from her past. But she wasn’t ready to give up on finding her.
“I need to know the truth,” Yelena said, her voice firm. “About my father, about my mother, about everything. I can’t just let this go.”
Ethan studied her for a moment, then nodded. “I figured you’d say that. And if you’re serious about digging into this, I’ll help you. But you need to understand something, Yelena. This isn’t going to be easy. The people our father was involved with… they’re dangerous. And if they find out who you are, they won’t hesitate to come after you.”
Yelena met his gaze, her eyes steady. “I’m not afraid.”
Ethan’s lips curved into a faint smile. “You’ve got his spirit, you know that? Our father would’ve been proud of you.”
The words warmed Yelena’s heart, but they also filled her with determination. She had spent her life feeling like an outsider, like she didn’t belong. But now, she had a chance to uncover the truth about her past—and to honor the father who had sacrificed so much to keep her safe.
“Where do we start?” she asked.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. “There’s someone you need to meet. An old friend of our father’s. If anyone knows what really happened, it’s him.”
Yelena’s pulse quickened. “Who is he?”
Ethan’s smile turned grim. “His name is Victor Kane. And he’s not the kind of man you want to cross.”