Epilogue

The room was silent, save for the soft rustle of aged paper as Tina and Roy examined the contents of the wooden box. Tina's gaze lingered on the dark stone, her fingers tracing its intricate carvings. "Mom," she asked, breaking the stillness, "what was Dad really working on? And… what happened to you two back then?"

Tia's eyes flickered with a mix of hesitation and pain. She settled into her chair, folding her hands tightly on her lap. "There's a lot you don't know about your father… or me." She paused, her voice trembling slightly. "But if you're asking, then you deserve the truth—or as much of it as I can give."

Roy glanced up from the map, curiosity etched across his face. "So, what's the deal with this stone?

And these papers?"

Tia hesitated, her gaze distant as she seemed to fall into a memory. "It's connected to Victor Esono."

The name hung in the air like a blade, sharp and heavy. Tina leaned forward, her brow furrowed.

"Victor Esono? Who's that?"

Tia took a deep breath. "He's a man of great power and even greater cruelty. Your father tried to shield me from his influence, but… we couldn't avoid him forever."

Roy set the map down. "What does this have to do with uncle's work?"

Tia glanced at the map and the stone. "Everything. Victor had his eyes on your father. He didn't just want Joy's brilliance—he wanted his compliance. And he wouldn't stop until he got it." Her voice softened, filled with a sorrowful edge. "On the night your father proposed to me, we were… interrupted."

Tina's heart skipped a beat. "Interrupted how?"

"We were taken," Tia admitted, her voice low. "Blindfolded and brought to a room. I remember the air—it was damp, metallic. There were voices, but one name stood out." Her gaze darkened. "Victor Esono."

Tina and Roy exchanged glances, their minds racing.

"What did they want?" Roy pressed.

With a trace of sadness in her voice, Tia murmured, "Your father never told me about this."

Tina and Roy exchanged determined glances before saying, "Then our first step is to find out who Victor Esono really is."