Inside the box, there was a collection of old papers, torn photographs, half of them burned and a small ring engraved with the letter "M." But what caught her attention was an old envelope, written in a feminine hand "To whoever finds this... forgive me."
Celine's hand trembled as she opened it. The paper inside was brief, written with intense emotion:
"I couldn't keep her. The world would not spare her if it knew who she is. I ran away from the man who wanted to use her as a means of threat. My heart is with her, but I cannot protect her. I hope she finds someone to care for her. Her name is Lilia... keep her safe."
She read the last sentence three times. He wanted to use her as a means of threat... Who was this man? Who was this woman? What story was hidden in this note? This was the first direct clue that behind Lilia's story, there was more complexity than just a child abandoned on the road.
She hadn't expected to find something so important in her grandmother's house; these papers were supposed to be in the secret drawer in her father's study. If they were here, it meant her grandmother knew about this information. So, did she deliberately not tell Celine last night? And what would drive her to lie? Perhaps she wanted to protect her from something, or... she was forced to hide it. But there was also the possibility that she didn't even know the papers existed though unlikely, it had to be considered.
Before she could dwell on it further, she felt something behind her. She spun around quickly and found herself facing someone who wasn't supposed to be there at this hour...
To be continued...