CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9
THE RETURN OF THE MONSTER
The photograph burned in Lily’s hands.
Not literally.
But it felt like it.
Because the moment she saw it, she was no longer standing inside the Blackwood mansion.
She was twenty-two years old again.
Standing in the rain.
Hearing the sound of broken glass.
Watching a woman she barely knew take her final breath.
And carrying a secret that had haunted her ever since.
YOU DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE TRUTH.
Those words stared back at her.
A warning.
A threat.
A reminder.
Serena knew.
Somehow…
Serena knew everything.
Lily sat alone in the guest room that night.
The same room Victor had prepared for her after she became part of Ethan's life.
A room that once felt safe.
Now it felt like a prison.
She held the photograph tightly.
Her fingers trembled.
How did Serena get this?
Nobody knew about that night.
Nobody except—
Her thoughts stopped.
Because one possibility appeared.
A terrifying possibility.
Someone else had been there.
Someone else knew.
A knock came at the door.
Lily quickly hid the photograph.
"Come in."
Victor entered.
For a moment, neither spoke.
The distance between them felt painful.
Only a few days ago, they had stood together against enemies.
Now they were standing like strangers.
"Are you okay?"
Lily almost smiled.
The question was simple.
But coming from him, it meant everything.
"I should be asking you."
Victor looked down.
"I know."
Silence.
Then he said:
"I found out where the fake documents came from."
Lily looked at him.
"Serena."
He nodded.
"She has been working with Daniel Cross."
Lily's expression changed.
"The man who attacked us?"
"Yes."
Victor's jaw tightened.
"She never left the game."
That was the thing about Serena Montigue.
She had never been defeated.
Only delayed.
She had spent years creating the perfect image.
The perfect woman.
The perfect future wife.
And when Victor destroyed that image...
She didn't break.
She evolved.
Across the city, Serena stood in front of a wall covered with photographs.
Victor.
Lily.
Ethan.
The Blackwood mansion.
Every detail.
Every weakness.
Daniel watched her.
"You know, most people would run after losing against Victor Blackwood."
Serena smiled.
"I didn't lose."
She turned.
"I learned."
Daniel looked at the photographs.
"What's the next step?"
Serena picked up Lily's picture.
"Separate them."
"And then?"
She smiled.
"Destroy him."
The next morning, Victor gathered his team.
The atmosphere inside the mansion was tense.
Marcus placed several files on the table.
"Daniel Cross has been moving money through three companies."
Victor opened the files.
"Who owns them?"
Marcus hesitated.
"That's the problem."
Victor looked up.
"Meaning?"
"They belong to someone inside the Blackwood organization."
Silence.
Again.
The enemy was inside.
Someone close.
Someone trusted.
Victor had already experienced betrayal from Serena.
Now he had to question everyone.
Meanwhile, Ethan searched for Lily.
The little boy had recovered enough to walk around the mansion.
He looked through every room.
Finally, he found her sitting in the garden.
"Mama."
Lily froze.
She looked around quickly.
Nobody else was there.
"Ethan..."
The little boy reached for her hand.
Lily knelt down.
"I'm not your mama."
But Ethan only smiled.
He placed his tiny hand on her face.
And Lily broke.
Because children didn't understand complicated things.
They didn't understand blood.
Titles.
Names.
They only knew love.
Victor saw them from the balcony.
And something inside him hurt.
Because he realized something important.
Lily had never tried to replace anyone.
She never tried to become Ethan's mother.
She simply loved him.
And that was why Ethan loved her.
That afternoon, Victor finally confronted Lily.
Not as her employer.
Not as Ethan's father.
As a man.
"I need to know about the photograph."
Lily became still.
"You saw it."
"Yes."
"And?"
Victor looked at her carefully.
"I don't believe Serena."
A pause.
"But I need the truth."
Lily looked away.
"I was going to tell you."
"When?"
"When I knew how."
Victor stepped closer.
"Lily."
Her eyes filled.
"The night Ethan's mother died..."
She stopped.
The memory was too painful.
"She wasn't alone."
Victor froze.
"What?"
"There was someone following her."
"Who?"
"I don't know."
"But you saw them?"
Lily nodded.
"Yes."
A long silence.
Then she whispered:
"They were wearing a Blackwood ring."
Victor's face changed.
A Blackwood ring.
The symbol of his family.
His bloodline.
His empire.
Someone from his own family had been involved.
Before Victor could ask more, the mansion alarm exploded.
Everyone moved instantly.
Guards rushed through the halls.
Marcus's voice came through the security system.
"Boss!"
Victor grabbed his weapon.
"What happened?"
A pause.
Then:
"Ethan."
Victor's blood froze.
"What about Ethan?"
"He disappeared."
The world stopped.
Victor ran.
Not walked.
Not commanded others.
Ran.
Straight toward Ethan's room.
The door was open.
The guards were unconscious.
The window was broken.
And on the floor...
Was Ethan's favorite stuffed bear.
Victor picked it up.
His hand shook.
"No..."
For the first time in years...
Victor Blackwood looked afraid.
Not angry.
Not dangerous.
Afraid.
Because someone had taken his son.
Lily arrived seconds later.
The moment she saw the empty room, she covered her mouth.
"No..."
Victor turned to her.
And something in his expression broke her heart.
Because he wasn't the mafia boss now.
He was just a father.
A father whose child had been stolen.
"I'll find him."
Lily grabbed his arm.
"We'll find him."
Victor looked at her.
"You don't have to come."
Her eyes hardened.
"Yes, I do."
"Lily—"
"He needs me."
A pause.
"And he needs you."
For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
Then Victor nodded.
Because he finally understood.
They weren't two people protecting Ethan.
They were a family fighting for him.
Hours later, a video arrived.
No sender.
No location.
Only a message.
Victor opened it.
The screen showed Ethan.
Alive.
Terrified.
And sitting beside him...
Serena.
She smiled directly into the camera.
"Hello, Victor."
His face became ice.
"You took my son."
Serena smiled.
"No."
She leaned closer.
"I took back what should have been mine."
Victor's eyes darkened.
"Where are you?"
Serena laughed softly.
"You still don't understand."
She looked at Ethan.
"This was never about money."
A pause.
"It was about replacing Lily."
The video ended.
The room became silent.
Then Victor spoke.
His voice was terrifyingly calm.
"Find her."
Marcus nodded.
"And when we do?"
Victor looked at the screen.
At the image of his son.
At the woman who had destroyed everything.
His answer was simple.
"Bring my son home."
A pause.
"And bring Serena to me."
Across the city, Serena watched Victor's reaction through the hidden camera.
She smiled.
Because she finally had what she wanted.
Victor Blackwood was angry.
Desperate.
Broken.
Exactly where she wanted him.
But Serena had made one mistake.
She forgot something.
Victor was most dangerous when someone threatened his family.
And this time...
May you like
The monster had returned.
END OF CHAPTER 9
