Chapter 15: Past and Secrets

There was a slight dampness in the air over the small Virginia town, mixing the smell of rain with the aroma of nearby forests. Isabella sat by the kitchen window in her quiet refuge, trying to find the peace that seemed increasingly distant. Her thoughts continued to revolve around the things she had left behind in New York, and also around Noah, the mysterious barista.

The cottage, modest but cozy, was surrounded by a haze of the smell of freshly brewed tea. Wooden furniture, decorated with light touches of everyday life, added a familiar charm to the interior, and an old clock on the wall ticked quietly, as if reminding of the passage of time. On the table lay scattered sheets of paper, a notebook and a bundle of newspaper clippings - her quiet obsession that did not give her peace of mind.

Isabella tried to occupy her thoughts with ordinary household chores. Brewing tea, flipping through books and wiping down the countertop seemed, for a while, to be an escape from the burden she had been carrying for weeks. The cottage, though cozy, was looking more and more like a cage to her, a place of isolation that was supposed to protect her, but also made her feel more and more cut off from the world.

She looked through the kitchen window at the daylight disappearing behind the horizon line. Evening was slowly falling, and the soft light of the lanterns fell on the wooden windows, creating shadows, that danced across the walls. At the moment, it seemed almost idyllic - like from a picture depicting an ideal place where time passes more slowly and life is simpler. However, there was an uneasiness in her mind that she couldn't get rid of since she saw a car approaching on the main street.

Her heart sped up for a moment, and the quiet anxiety turned into something more tangible. She approached the window, gently tilting back the curtain. The black SUV turned off, and a familiar silhouette got out of the car.

Before she had time to react, there was a knock on the door. Two quick, firm knocks that immediately brought her back to reality. She stood up, adjusted the shawl on her shoulders and walked to the door. She opened it, and the sight of him almost intoxicated her - tired with his winter coat frosted over his shoulders and eyes that seemed even darker than usual.

He looked exactly as she remembered. His dark hair was slightly tousled by the wind, and the coat he was wearing bore the marks of a long journey. When he appeared at her door, unexpectedly and unannounced, she was torn between surprise and relief. For a moment they stood in silence - she in simple jeans and a sweater, looking almost ordinary, and he in a classic coat that was a testament to his orderly, albeit busy, life.

- Alex," she said quietly, as if his name would restore the calm she so desperately needed. - What are you doing here? - She asked, not hiding her surprise.

- Isabella," he replied, and there was a mixture of relief and tension in his voice. - Can I come in?

Without a word, she opened the door wider, letting him in. Alex took off his coat and put it on a hanger, looking around the cozy interior to absorb the atmosphere of the place, her new life. The cottage was like an oasis of tranquility - the living room space, full of books, warm colors and the light smell of freshly brewed tea, became a refuge for them. The complete opposite of the life they both led in New York.

- This place really suits you. I didn't think it was so ... peaceful," he said, trying to start a conversation, but his tone betrayed that he had something more on his mind.

Isabella pointed him to a seat at the kitchen table.

- Tea? - She asked, trying to gain time to control the emotions that his sudden appearance had caused.

- No thanks," he replied.

He sat down heavily in a chair, placing the folder he had in his hands on the table. He looked at it for a moment, as if trying to gauge how much he would tell her before asking the questions that hung in the air.

Isabella sat across from him, crossing her arms on the table, as if to create a barrier between them.

- Why did you come? - She finally asked, breaking the silence.

His gaze became more intense, and his lips tightened, as if he were weighing every word.

- I was worried," he finally said. - Not just about you, but about what might happen. And, in fact, we need to talk," he replied briefly, as if each word carried weight that could not be ignored.

She felt her stomach contract from nerves. She knew Alex didn't show up here for no reason.

- Isabella, you must know something," he began, and his voice was low, almost conspiratorial. - I found something. Something that changes everything.

Her heart froze. She tried to remain calm, though she felt a wave of anxiety sweep over her body.

- What did you find? - She asked quietly.

- Heart Investments," he began, and his tone became more matter-of-fact. - It's a swamp. You know it as well as I do.

- I know," she replied quietly, looking away.

He opened the folder and took out a bundle of documents and several printed photos. He spread them out on the table, moving them toward her. They were faded, but clearly showed something he hoped would help her understand the gravity of the situation.

Isabella took the first photo in her hand and looked at it. It was a group photo taken against the backdrop of a luxury mansion - showing a family with their children. Her eyes widened and her breathing quickened.

- This... that's me," she whispered, pointing her finger at a girl about eight years old, with bushy curls and a wide smile. - That's me and my parents.

Her gaze shifted to the other side of the photograph. There stood another family - two adults and a boy, about twelve years old, dressed in a smart suit.

- It's the Carters," she added, her voice trembling slightly.

She swallowed her saliva loudly, trying to collect her thoughts.

- They were friends of my family," she explained, still staring at the photo as if she could read something more from it. - My father always said that the Carters were partners who could be trusted in any situation.

She paused, and her gaze was suddenly streaked with a shadow of sadness.

- They died," she added quietly. - In a helicopter accident. That was about ten years ago. They orphaned a son.

Alex raised an eyebrow, surprised.

- Did they get orphaned? What happened to their son?

Isabella shook her head, putting the photo back on the table.

- All I know is that he ended up in the care of extended family. We stopped contacting each other after their death. Everything suddenly changed, as if someone wanted to erase them from memory.

Alex took out another photo and placed it in front of her. This time, the sight caused her clear astonishment.

- This is the father," she said immediately, pointing to a tall man in a dark suit.

A man of similar age stood next to him, and an aura of power and prestige surrounded their figures.

- This is John Carter," she continued, pointing to the second man. - And the third one...

She paused, looking closely.

- This is Sebastian's father," she said after a moment, almost in disbelief. - What were they doing together?

Alex looked at her with tension in his eyes.

- That's what I'm trying to understand," he said. - This photo is from years ago, before all these things happened. It looks like Heart Investments may have been a much older venture than we thought.

Isabella stared at the photos, trying to connect pieces of her past with what Alex was discovering.

- I thought my family was simply one of many," she said quietly. - But now I see that the ties go much deeper.

Alex leaned toward her.

- Isabella, this is not a coincidence. All these connections... The Carters, your parents, Charles Vanderbilt.... Heart Investments. They're all part of the puzzle we need to unravel.

Isabella nodded slowly, still staring at the photos, which now seemed much heavier than their dimensions would indicate.

- But why now? Why is it all coming back at this very moment? - She asked, lifting her gaze to Alex.

- Because someone doesn't want us to know the truth," replied Alex firmly. - And they will do anything to stop us.

Alex leaned back in his chair, his gaze resting on Isabella, and his eyes expressed something between compassion and determination.

- Isabella," he began carefully, weighing each word. - How... how did your parents actually die?

She looked at him surprised, as if the question had pulled her out of deep thought. Before she answered, she put the photos down on the table and rubbed her forehead with her hand.

- It was ... accident," she began quietly, and her voice sounded like an echo of the past. - The police informed me that their car had fallen off the road and into the river. Reportedly, the driver lost control of the steering wheel. - She was silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts. - The water was icy and the current was too strong. They could not be saved," she added, her voice trembling barely perceptibly. - I was only ten years old at the time. Everything I know comes from newspapers and what my uncle told me.

Alex squinted, as if analyzing her every word.

- Isabella," he spoke up cautiously, "have you ever wondered if it was really an accident?

Isabella looked at him with concern.

- What do you have in mind?

Alex rested his elbows on the table, leaning closer.

- Because you see," he began, in a voice full of tension, "everything indicates that your parents were involved in something. Something that could have brought them serious trouble.

Isabella shook her head, trying to fend off the thought that was beginning to form in her head.

- Do you mean to say that it could have been.... murder?

Alex looked at her with clear sympathy, but his tone remained firm.

- Yes, Isabella. It's quite possible.

They were silent for a while, and the silence in the room seemed thick and heavy. Finally, Alex spoke again, this time with even more tension in his voice.

- And let me tell you more. If my guess is right, your parents were not the only victims.

Isabella raised her eyes, surprised.

- What do you have in mind?

Alex clenched his hands into fists, and his face took on an expression of determination.

- I think the same thing happened to the Carters and awaits my aunt and uncle," he replied without hesitation. - If we don't react in time, they could be next.

Isabella felt a cold shiver run down her spine.

- How do you know this? - She asked, trying to control the panic in her voice.

Alex looked at her with seriousness.

- All leads lead to Heart Investments," he said firmly. - This organization eliminates anyone who gets in their way. Your father, the Carters ... and now, perhaps, Olivia's parents. This is no coincidence, Isabella said.

They stared at each other for a moment, silently processing the weight of his words. Isabella finally spoke up quietly, but with clear determination.

- If you're right, Alex... then we have to stop them.

- That's not enough," he continued, leaning toward her. - They don't forget, Isabella. No matter how far you run, they will always find you.

Isabella stood up abruptly, trying to hide her emotions. She walked to the window and looked out at the darkening street.

- Do you think I don't know? - she asked, and there was a note of frustration in her voice. - Do you think I haven't thought about it every day since I've been here?

Alex approached her, his presence soothing and overwhelming at the same time.

- Therefore, we must act wisely," he said. - We cannot afford to make any mistakes.

Isabella turned to him, and her face was full of emotions that she could not hide.

- Alex... thank you for telling me all this," she said quietly. - If what you say is true, it's not just about us anymore.

- I know," he replied, and his voice was calm but full of tension. - And that's why we have to be ready for anything.

- So what do you propose? - She asked, looking at him with determination.

- This is Heart Investments' financial data, transactions and contacts," he explained, pointing to the documents on the table. - I've been working on this for weeks. I thought I knew how deep it went, but it's....

Alex shook his head.

- It's not that simple," he replied. - They have people everywhere. If we make the wrong decision, we'll both be dead before we can reveal anything.

Isabella leaned over the table, looking through the documents. The photos showed luxurious mansions, private jets and meetings that looked like completely innocent dinners, but the activities described in the reports spoke of something completely different.

Alex was silent for a moment, as if he was putting together an answer in his head.

- We have to act carefully," he finally said. - Analyze everything, find their weaknesses. But above all, we must be careful, Isabella said. Because no one is safe in this game.

Isabella smiled sadly.

- I know," she replied. - But if we don't try, we will never be free.

The silence that followed between them was full of unspoken concerns and questions. At that moment, they knew one thing - their battle was just beginning.

Alex paused for a moment, staring out the window, beyond which the horizon was covered with evening darkness. The quiet ticking of the clock seemed to beat out the rhythm of his thoughts, which were boiling into chaos. He turned to Isabella and saw her sitting on the couch, hunched over, with her face hidden in her hands. Her delicate shoulders trembled slightly from a mixture of shock, fear and helplessness. He couldn't let her be left alone with all this.

He plopped down on the couch next to Isabella, watching her with a slight, ironic smile. He wanted, if only for a moment, to get them out of the burden of the situation that seemed to be crushing them. He knew that any further question could lead them to even darker revelations, but he needed a break - for her, and perhaps for himself.

- You know," he began casually, trying to make his voice light, "I can't help wondering.... How does it feel to suddenly drop everything you know and land in a place like this? How do your days go by? Do you have any ... hobbies? Favorite coffee shops? Maybe you've already made friends with the local old ladies?

At his question, Isabella smiled gently, then raised her eyebrows, as if to show that she appreciated his attempt to change the subject. She moved her legs closer together, wrapping her arms around them, and her gaze softened as she began to tell the story.

- At first? - she began, sighing slightly. - I thought it would be a punishment. It was like I had landed at some end of the world. You know, from a big city to a place where life flows at a pace that scared me at first. But... - Her voice hesitated, and a shadow of a smile appeared at the corners of her mouth. - I quickly discovered that it's not so bad. I got some peace and quiet here. Maybe even too much.

- So what do your days look like? Walking with a basket to the market? - chuckled Alex jokingly, raising an eyebrow.

- A little yes," she replied, laughing quietly. - But it's a nice change. I get up early, drink coffee on the terrace.... - She paused, as if she wanted to add something, but changed the subject. - Then I usually go to the town. There is a small cafe where I can hide and watch people. That's where I met Noah, by the way.

Alex twitched slightly at the sound of that name, but did not interrupt. He knew it was important to let her speak, to understand what had happened in her world since they parted.

- Noah? - he asked, in a tone feigning indifference, although something inside him trembled. - Which Noah?

Isabella looked at him with a half-smile, as if sensing his tension.

- Jealous? The barista from that coffee shop," she replied, as if it was completely ordinary. - You know, the type that looks like he doesn't want to be where he is at all. A bit mysterious, but... - She fell silent for a moment, searching for the right words. - Maybe that's what attracted me. He was... different.

- Did he attract you? - Alex chuckled with evident amusement, although his eyes betrayed something more. - Isabella, you're romancing yourself here, while I'm breathing from the tension in New York?

Isabella laughed out loud, slapping him lightly on the shoulder.

- Stop, it's not like that! - she said with feigned irritation, although there was something soft in her eyes. - It's just... he was nice. We talked a bit. Once he even invited me to his place.

- Well, there you go. - Alex pretended a serious face, although the tone of his voice was light. - And how, was he a good host?

- Good enough to show me something I was looking for here," she replied, this time her voice was more serious. - Tranquility. Normality. You don't know how much I needed that.

- Peace of mind can be illusory Is.

Isabella looked at him with a slight smile, trying to hide her tension.

Alex sighed, feeling the tension in his body slowly subside. He didn't want to admit it, but he was glad that Isabella had found something here that allowed her at least a brief respite from the nightmare in which they were both embroiled.

- And what's next? - He asked, leaning comfortably against the couch. - Are you planning with him.... something more?

Isabella raised an eyebrow, looking at him carefully.

- I don't know. Maybe. But let's not kid ourselves. Neither of us can plan too far ahead. - Her voice softened, and she directed her gaze to her hands. - All we have are the little moments where we pretend things are normal.

- What if Noah is not who he claims to be? - Alex asked, not hiding his concern.

Isabella lowered her gaze, as if trying to hide her doubt.

- I'll find out.

Alex looked at her, feeling something inside him squeeze tighter. In that moment, they both seemed more human, more vulnerable to injury, than ever before.