Chapter 2 – The Door That Should Never Have Been Opened
Aaliyah's heart pounded so hard she could hear nothing else.
The elderly woman struggled to lift her head.
Her silver hair was tangled.
Purple bruises circled both wrists where heavy chains had rubbed her skin raw.
Aaliyah rushed forward.
"Oh my God..."
The woman grabbed her hand with surprising strength.
"My son..."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
"Please... tell Victor I'm still alive."
Aaliyah stared.
"You... you're Mrs. Eleanor Kingsley?"
Tears rolled down the woman's cheeks.
"Yes."
Aaliyah had seen photographs throughout the mansion.
Victor's mother had supposedly died six months earlier after suffering from dementia.
The newspapers had published beautiful tributes.
A private memorial had been held.
Charities received donations in her name.
Yet here she was...
Alive.
Hidden beneath her own son's home.
Before Aaliyah could speak again...
Footsteps echoed above.
Someone was coming downstairs.
She quickly hid behind a stack of wooden crates.
The basement door opened.
Eliza Kingsley descended carrying a tray.
Her elegant smile disappeared the moment she reached Eleanor.
"You still refuse to sign?"
Eleanor looked away.
"My son deserves the truth."
Eliza's eyes hardened.
"He deserves success."
She placed the tray on the floor.
"Sign the inheritance papers... and this ends."
"I would rather die."
Eliza leaned close.
"That can be arranged."
Aaliyah covered her mouth to stop herself from gasping.
She quietly pulled out her phone.
The camera began recording.
Every word.
Every threat.
Every second.
When Eliza finally returned upstairs, Aaliyah waited another full minute before crawling out.
"We're getting you out."
Eleanor shook her head.
"No."
"They'll kill you!"
"They'll kill you too if they know."
Aaliyah looked directly into the elderly woman's exhausted eyes.
"My mother taught me something."
"If you walk away from evil because you're afraid... evil wins."
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For the first time in months...
Eleanor smiled.
