Chapter 2: The Ghost in the Garden
Seven years. That was the time Veronica had spent building her empire on a foundation of lies.
The woman in the photo was Elena, her identical twin. The official story, crafted by Veronica and her high-priced legal team, was that Elena had perished in a tragic accident off a coastal cliff. There was no body, just a burning wreck and a grief-stricken sister who "generously" took over the family estate.
Veronica had stolen Elena’s life, her husband, and her fortune. She had spent years telling the world she was a self-made titan, all while sitting on a throne built of stolen timber.
In the back room of the hotel, where security had dragged the boy, Veronica paced like a caged tiger. She looked at the boy—Leo—who sat on the edge of the velvet chair, his muddy shoes swinging.
"Who gave you this?" she demanded, her voice cracking. "Where did you get this photo?"
"My mother gave it to me," Leo said simply.
"Your mother is dead!" Veronica hissed, leaning in close, her designer perfume masking the scent of the mud on her clothes.
"My mother is alive," Leo corrected, "and she’s been waiting seven years for the right time to show you that a sister's memory doesn't die in a car crash. She’s not my aunt. She’s my mother. And she’s watching you right now."
May you like
Veronica’s phone buzzed. It was an unknown number. She answered, her hands trembling.
“Did you like the mud, sister?” the voice on the other end asked. It was Elena’s voice. “It was just a warning. The dirt is coming for the rest of your life.”
