The hallway felt colder than before.
Not the air-conditioned kind of cold—this one seeped into the bones, making every step Lena took feel heavier, as if she were walking through thick fog.
Moody stayed beside her without a word, matching her pace, letting her silence speak for her. The elevator chimed, doors sliding open, but Lena didn't move. She just stood there, staring into the empty metal box like she was afraid it might swallow her whole.
Moody gently touched her arm.
"Lee… we don't have to move yet. Just breathe."
Her breath came out shaky, like a glass on the verge of cracking.
"They were going to take us away," she whispered. "All three of us. She was going to sign us off like… like we were luggage."
Moody's jaw tightened. He hadn't seen the document, but he didn't need to. The look in her eyes was enough.
"Come," he murmured. "Let's get some air."
He guided her down the hallway to the small balcony near the nurses' lounge—a quiet corner overlooking the city. From up here, the streets looked peaceful, like nothing in the world could possibly go wrong.
But Lena knew better now.
She leaned onto the railing, gripping it until her knuckles went white.
Moody stood beside her, giving her time.
After a long moment, she finally spoke.
"I don't understand," she said, voice trembling. "Why would she do that? What did we ever do to her?"
"I don't know," Moody replied softly. "But whatever she was planning… your dad stopped it."
Lena swallowed hard.
"And this is what she's been planning all this time. Pretending she came back just for us?"
Moody turned toward her.
"Lee… are you scared of her?"
Lena hesitated.
And then—very slowly—she nodded.
"Not for myself," she said, looking down at the busy street below. "For Sela. For Bena. They still believe she's… good."
Moody exhaled.
"Then you're going to have to be strong. Even stronger than this."
Lena let out a dry laugh, shoulders shaking.
"I don't know if I can."
Moody reached out, his hand hovering before gently settling on hers.
"You don't have to be strong alone."
She froze.
His touch was warm—steady—like an anchor she didn't know she needed.
When Lena finally looked up at him, Moody's expression softened.
There was no teasing, no smirk, none of his usual deflective charm.
Just concern. Pure, sincere concern.
"Moody…" she whispered.
He shook his head lightly.
"You don't have to explain anything. Not now. Just think less and hope all will be better."
Her throat tightened.
Before she could respond, footsteps approached.
Bena.
He paused upon seeing them, his eyes red—as if he'd been crying.
"Lee…" His voice cracked. "Dad wants you back. He… he wants to tell you the rest."
Lena straightened, fear creeping up her spine.
"The rest?"
Bena nodded, wiping his nose.
Moody placed a reassuring hand on her back.
"You should go. It must be important too."
Lena hesitated, turning slightly.
"Will you wait?"
"Try getting rid of me," Moody muttered.
It almost made her smile.
Almost.
---
Back Inside the Room
Mr. Luke looked weaker now, as if telling the truth had taken every last bit of strength he had left. Sela stood behind him, her eyes swollen, her lips trembling from the shock.
"Lee," he whispered as she entered, "there's… more."
Lena came closer, her heart pounding against her ribs.
"What more could there possibly be?" she asked, voice barely holding steady.
Mr. Luke closed his eyes.
"She wasn't just signing you over," he murmured. "She was receiving something in return."
Lena's breath caught.
"Money?"
He shook his head.
"No," he whispered. "Power."
Lena frowned.
"What do you mean? But you said she needs mostly Bena and Sela. What happened?'
Mr. Luke coughed weakly. Sela rushed to hold him steady, but he raised a hand, insisting on finishing.
"There is a man," he said slowly. "A man your mother became involved with years ago. A man who promised her a life she… thought she deserved."
Bena shifted nervously.
"What man?"
Mr. Luke's voice dropped to a rasp.
"His name is Rafferty Rampanda. And he controls things in this city that people don't speak about. His so rich and famous but it's hard to find him. He is protected by an army."
Lena's blood ran cold, yet her ears grasping every little detail."
"He wanted you," Mr. Luke continued. "All three of you."
"Why?" Lena demanded. "Why us?"
Mr. Luke's lips quivered.
"Because… of your mother's bloodline."
Silence crashed through the room.
Sela blinked in confusion.
"Bloodline? Dad… what are you talking about?"
Mr. Luke looked at Lena—only at her.
"Lee," he whispered, "you must be very careful. Because Rafferty… he's not back for your mother."
His trembling hand reached for hers.
"He's back for you. I thought that your Mother wants only sela and Bena, but no! You're the target. It's just a trick she's using in order to get you.
Lena felt the floor tilt.
Her lungs refused to work.
Bena gasped.
Sela covered her mouth, eyes brimming with fear.
Lena forced her voice out, barely audible.
"Why me?"
Mr. Luke lowered his gaze.
"Because you are the only one," he said quietly, "who inherited what she carries."
Lena stepped back, shaking her head.
"Dad… stop. You're not making sense."
Mr. Luke's next words shattered the last bit of stability in her world.
"Your mother," he whispered, "was not an ordinary woman. And neither are you."
Lena froze.
The room seemed to pulse—her heartbeat growing louder, heavier, almost painful.
"Dad… what is she?" Bena asked, voice quivering.
Mr. Luke swallowed, tears sliding down the corners of his eyes.
"She," he said, voice breaking, "was chosen by a lineage older than this city. And Lee… you are next."
Lena's breath caught.
"What lineage?"
Mr. Luke finally looked up—straight into her eyes—fear and sorrow merging into a single expression.
"A lineage," he whispered, "that demands a price."
Lena didn't move.
Couldn't.
"What price?" she whispered.
Mr. Luke closed his eyes.
"Your life."
The room fell silent.
Sela's knees buckled.
Bena covered his mouth with trembling hands.
Lena stood frozen, her heart falling into a quiet, terrifying void.
"My life…" she whispered.
"Yes," Mr. Luke said weakly. "Rafferty will come for you. And when he does… you must not… let him take you."
Lena felt her world begin to blur at the edges.
Her mother.
Rafferty.
The bloodline.
The price.
Everything was unraveling faster than she could catch it.
A soft knock broke the suffocating silence.
Moody peeked inside.
"Lee…" His voice trailed off as he saw her pale face. "What happened? You look—"
But she didn't hear him.
All she could hear was her father's final whisper:
"He's coming… for you."
And in that moment, Lena realized—
Everything she thought she knew about her life…
Was a lie. The life she was leaving for the past twenty-two years, was all fake.