Elora_Elysia

Lillian "Lily" Everett has spent years searching for answers about her family's past, desperate to understand the secrets that shattered her life. But when her investigation leads her to a hidden truth—one that was meant to stay buried—she becomes the target of dangerous forces determined to silence her. Forced to flee, she finds an unlikely ally in Noah Carter, a former mercenary with a dark past and a reputation for never getting involved. Reluctantly, they strike a fragile alliance, but as their journey unfolds, so does an undeniable tension neither of them can ignore.

The deeper Lily digs, the more horrifying the truth becomes. Her brother, Elias Everett—the one she thought was dead—has been alive all along, hidden in the shadows, entangled in a dangerous rebellion against the monarchy. But Elias is no longer the same boy she once adored. He is a man hardened by betrayal, secrets, and choices he refuses to explain. Torn between love and anger, Lily struggles to bridge the growing chasm between them, but time is running out.

As enemies close in and the web of deception tightens, Lily and Noah must navigate a world where loyalty is fleeting, betrayal is inevitable, and love is the most dangerous game of all. In a battle for justice, truth, and survival, Lily is faced with the ultimate choice: Expose the truth and risk losing her brother forever, or sacrifice everything to save the only family she has left.

But in a world built on lies, even the purest love may not be enough to survive.

The Letters He Never Sent

Lily's hands trembled as she stared at the folder in front of her. Her brother's name was printed in bold letters across several documents, his face captured in grainy surveillance images. The weight of it settled in her chest like a stone, pressing down on every breath she took.

Noah was the first to break the silence. "What the hell is this?" His voice was tight, controlled—but Lily knew him well enough to hear the tension beneath it.

Hazel Monroe leaned back in her chair, swirling the amber liquid in her glass. "That's what I'd like to know."

Lily forced herself to speak, her voice steadier than she felt. "Where did you get these?"

Monroe arched an eyebrow. "I have my sources. Let's just say Langley was looking into something big—something that involved your brother. And now? He's missing."

Lily clenched her fists. "Elias wouldn't—" She stopped herself, because the truth was, she didn't know what Elias would or wouldn't do anymore. Their relationship had fractured over the years, and though she still loved him, she couldn't deny that he had changed. He had secrets—secrets he never let her in on.

Noah exhaled sharply, raking a hand through his hair. "So what are you saying? That Elias is involved in this?"

Monroe tilted her head. "I'm saying Langley thought so. And now he's gone."

Lily felt a sharp pang of nausea. If Langley had been looking into Elias and ended up disappearing, that meant—

"They're going after my brother," she whispered, the realization hitting her like a punch to the gut.

Monroe smirked slightly, but there was no amusement in her eyes. "Now you're catching on."

Lily's breath came short and fast. She had spent so much time trying to figure out why she had been targeted, but what if this had never been about her? What if Elias was the real target, and she had just been collateral damage?

"We need to find him," she said urgently, looking at Noah. "Now."

He nodded, already pulling out his phone. "If he's still in the city, I might be able to track his last known locations."

Monroe took another sip of her drink, watching them with something that almost resembled curiosity. "If you do find him, be careful. If he's mixed up in this, you might not like what you discover."

Lily didn't have time for Monroe's cryptic warnings. All that mattered was finding Elias before it was too late.

She just hoped she wasn't already too late.

Chapter 20