Sharlene was still staring at the bracelet she found earlier in her grandmother's cabinet. There was something about it that pulled at her, compelling her to take it.
Ellena… Who are you, really? she wondered. Every time she thought of the name, it was as if a memory was struggling to break free—but something always held it back. Her head throbbed each time she tried to recall it.
Lawrence had visited her today, but they wouldn't be seeing each other for a while. Tashia had also returned from her business in town.
She was shocked by what Lawrence had shared: that this house used to be Leah's residence.
That's why I still feel a connection to her here, she thought silently.
Tomorrow, Sharlene would head back to the city to watch over Ashley.
Ashley, Mommy will be back soon, she whispered to herself.
Suddenly, her senses snapped back to a vision—the memory of the promise made by two parents, vowing to return and take their child away from the terrifying place where she had been hidden.
Sharlene stood up, searching for her ointment to soothe her aching head. She could feel someone watching her. She lifted her head immediately.
And there she was—Leah. It was the first time Sharlene saw her dressed in a white gown, reminiscent of what she had worn the day she was buried alive.
Leah didn't speak. She simply stared at her in silence, tears trailing down her pale face.
Darkness swallowed Sharlene.
When she opened her eyes again, she found herself back in Leah's territory. The three souls Leah had imprisoned remained there, and Leah's child was still seated beside her on the throne. Leah was staring at her with complex, unreadable emotion.
Her gaze shifted to the bracelet in Sharlene's hand.
"Why do you have that bracelet?" asked a stunned voice.
It was Manuel. His eyes were locked on the bracelet, then flicked toward her. Then, he turned to look at Felicia.
Felicia warned Sharlene with her eyes not to say anything. But Sharlene didn't back down—something in her heart screamed that she already knew the truth.
"Grandma, I saw it in your notebook. I remember seeing their names written there. Who is their child?" she asked directly.
"W—What are you talking about? Are you losing your mind now?" Felicia stammered, clearly shaken.
"Grandma! Tell me the truth. Here's the deal—I'll set you free in exchange for it." Sharlene glanced at Leah while saying this.
Leah raised a brow but remained composed, watching silently. The three souls and the woman with them stood still.
"Speak up! Speak up!" Sharlene cried. She didn't know why, but a terrible truth was clawing at the edge of her mind.
"Where did you find that bracelet?" Manuel asked again.
"In Grandma Felicia's cabinet," she answered.
"I don't remember much about my childhood," Sharlene continued, "but I know you know the truth about who Carmela's child is. Don't you?"
"Fine!" Felicia snapped. "I knew Carmela. But I didn't help her find her child—I wasn't going to give my abilities away for free. I had to make a living. That's how I put food on the table. Are we good now?"
"Felicia!" Manuel roared, his voice echoing through the darkness. "Why did you lie to me?"
"I'm sorry, Manuel. I had to hide it… because of something big," Felicia replied, her voice unsteady.
"Then say it. Say that reason now," Leah demanded, her eyes cold.
"If you're telling the truth now, then tell us—did Sharlene confirm whether the child is still alive?" Leah asked, piercing Felicia with her gaze.
Sharlene's heart raced. Her thoughts were swirling in chaos.
"So, you knew?" Manuel said in disbelief. "You knew who the child I've been looking for is? And you… you have that bracelet. That means…"
He choked on the realization. "Heaven knows how long I've been searching for my niece Ellena! I searched everywhere—only to find she was right in front of me! Damn you, Felicia!"
Sharlene froze.
"Felicia! Where is Ellena?" Manuel asked with desperate urgency.
"She's right in front of you… Manuel, she's right there," Felicia said, pointing at Sharlene.
Time seemed to stop.
Suddenly, memories that had long been buried burst to the surface.
"Mommy and Daddy will be back soon."
"I'll take care of you, Ellena."
"I'm scared."
Sharlene dropped to her knees, overwhelmed by the flood of memories.
A—Am I Ellena? she wondered.
No, no, no—her mind rejected it. I'm not Ellena.
"Sharlene Ellena is your real name," Leah said softly.
"Y—You also knew?" Sharlene asked, her voice trembling.
"We were just dating. Manuel always said he was searching for the child his younger sister had abandoned due to illness. But you… you know the truth about who really killed your parents," Leah replied calmly.
"Out of kindness, I searched for you, but I couldn't find you—because Felicia hid the bracelet to hide the fact that you were Carmela's child," she added.
"Sharlene…" Manuel choked out. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I couldn't protect you from Dad. Please forgive me."
Tears silently streamed down Sharlene's cheeks. She didn't know who to believe anymore.
"Grandma… I loved you like real family. I loved the Rosario family. Why didn't you tell me the truth?" She sobbed. "Tell me I'm a true Rosario. Tell me I don't share blood with any of those clans. Grandma!"
"Accept the truth, Sharlene," Leah said solemnly. "Our twisted bloodline runs through your veins. You are part of it—and there's no escaping it. Besides, you married into the Francisco family. It was all carefully planned."
She turned to Felicia. "Isn't that right, Felicia?"
Then, it all made sense—why Felicia had pushed her to marry Martin.
Sharlene turned to the imprisoned souls, her hands trembling. "I don't know… I don't know what to do anymore."
She looked back at Leah. "Take me back. I'll decide whether to set them free."
Her heart boiled with rage, but she was paralyzed by indecision.
"Sharlene! Forgive me!" Manuel's voice cried out in the dark.
And then, Sharlene awoke in her bed. Leah's soul still lingered, silently watching her. Tears drenched Sharlene's cheeks.
Then she heard Lawrence's voice. He had caught her crying.
"H—Hey, Sharlene… W—what happened? Why are you crying?" he asked, clearly worried.
She only shook her head.
Lawrence quickly handed her his handkerchief.
Her heart and mind were in agony. The truth had been uncovered—but the pain it brought was unbearable.
She could no longer hold it in.
Sharlene broke down into uncontrollable sobs.