The wooden door groaned as Ethan pushed it open, revealing a dimly lit room filled with dusty books, old portraits, and strange artifacts. Shadows clung to every corner, making the room seem alive.
"This… this place," I whispered, stepping inside. "How have I never seen it before?"
Ethan's jaw tightened. "Few people have. This room holds the mansion's secrets… and part of my past."
I approached a large portrait of a stern-looking man. A small plaque beneath it read: "Lord Alistair Blackwood."
"Who is he?" I asked, my voice barely audible.
Ethan swallowed hard. "My father… and the reason so many things in this mansion are hidden. He wanted to protect certain truths, even if it meant keeping people like you in the dark."
I felt a mix of fear and curiosity. The mansion was no longer just a house of shadows; it was a puzzle, and I was standing at the center of it.
Suddenly, a small drawer in an ancient desk clicked open by itself, revealing a folded letter. I picked it up, hands shaking. The handwriting was familiar — my own name written on the envelope.
I looked up at Ethan. "This… this is for me?"
He nodded solemnly. "Yes. What you find inside will change everything you thought you knew about this mansion… and about me."
As I unfolded the letter, my heart raced. The hidden truth was finally about to be revealed.