Whispers of a Past Life
“That’s…impossible,” I stammered. “I’m just a recently divorced mom trying to start over.” Adrian’s security detail, flanking him like shadows, exchanged glances. “Apparently not to someone,” he said grimly. He directed us to a sleek black SUV waiting at the curb. “We need to get you somewhere safe, at least for tonight.” “Safe? What’s going on, Adrian? You’re scaring me.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, I’m a…private person. I’m involved in a lot of things. Sometimes those things attract unwanted attention.” As the car sped toward Pasadena, I tried to piece together what was happening. A billionaire asking a stranger to feign sleep on a plane. Security details.
Mysterious inquiries. It felt like a scene from a movie. We arrived at my cousin Martha’s small bungalow. Martha, a kind-faced woman with a warm smile, rushed out to greet us. “Elena! Lily! Oh, you poor thing. Come in, come in.” Adrian insisted on staying until he was certain I was settled. “I’ll have my team check in with Martha periodically,” he said. “Just to make sure everything is alright.” Before he left, he handed me a small, unmarked card. “My personal number. Call me if anything happens, anything at all.” As the SUV disappeared down the street, Martha’s eyes widened. “Who *was* that man, Elena?”
Echoes of Ethan
“I…I don’t really know,” I admitted, feeling overwhelmed. “His name is Adrian Prescott. He was on the plane with me. He…helped me.” Martha raised an eyebrow. “Prescott? As in *the* Adrian Prescott? The billionaire?” I hadn’t realized the full weight of his name until she said it aloud. “I guess so.” The tiny bedroom Martha offered was clean and cozy, but it felt strangely claustrophobic. I unpacked Lily’s things, trying to create a semblance of normalcy. My phone buzzed. It was a text from Ethan. “Saw the pictures. Enjoy your new life. Don’t bother contacting me.” The callousness of it stung.
I quickly deleted the message. Suddenly, another text arrived, this one from an unknown number. “We know where she is. Tell Prescott to cooperate.” My blood ran cold. They knew. They knew about Adrian, about Martha’s house, about *me*. I frantically dialed Adrian’s number. It went straight to voicemail. “Mr. Prescott, please call me. I’m in trouble.” I called again and again, each attempt met with the same automated message. A wave of panic washed over me. I was alone, vulnerable, and caught in something far bigger than I could comprehend. Then, a sharp knock echoed through the small bungalow. Martha cautiously opened the door. Two men stood on the porch, their faces grim and unyielding.
The Price of Silence
“We’re looking for Elena Walker,” one of the men said, his voice devoid of emotion. “We just need to ask her a few questions.” Martha, bless her heart, stood her ground. “She’s resting. She just had a very difficult journey.” “We need to speak with her now.” I stepped forward, shielding Lily behind me. “What do you want?” The man’s gaze swept over me, assessing. “We’re conducting an investigation. Mr. Prescott is a person of interest.” “What kind of investigation?” I demanded, trying to sound braver than I felt. “That’s not something we can discuss with you.” “Is this about the flight?” He exchanged a look with his companion. “Let’s just say Mr.
The truth was finally coming out — and there was no turning back now… (Continue to Part 3 →)
