Elena stared at her phone like it was a puzzle she couldn't solve. Blackwell empire? Sole heiress? Her heart raced. She had never heard of this Blackwell family, and yet here was a message saying she was the daughter of a billionaire.
Her brother David peeked from his bedroom doorway. "What's wrong, Elena?" he asked quietly.
Elena shook her head, trying to calm herself. "I… I don't know. Some law firm just called. They said something about my father and an inheritance."
David blinked. "Father? Mom never told us about him. Do you… do you think it's real?"
Elena shrugged, feeling a mix of fear and hope. "I don't know. But we're going to find out."
She grabbed her bag and locked the door behind her. The evening air was cool, and the city lights reflected on the wet pavement from the morning rain. Her heart pounded. What if this was a mistake? Or worse… what if it was a trap?
The law firm was in the center of the city, in a tall glass building that made Elena feel small. She stepped inside, and the smell of polished wood and leather hit her. A young receptionist looked up.
"Miss Grace?" the receptionist asked politely.
"Yes… that's me," Elena said, her voice shaky.
"Please take a seat. Mr. Hawthorne will see you shortly," the receptionist said with a small smile.
Elena sat, fidgeting with her bag. Her mind raced with questions. Who was her father? Why had her mother never told her? And most importantly… who was this Blackwell family?
The door opened, and a tall man in a dark suit entered. His hair was neat, his eyes sharp. Elena's stomach twisted.
"You must be Elena Grace," he said, his voice calm but firm.
"Yes… I'm Elena," she replied.
"I am Mr. Hawthorne," he continued. "I handle matters for the Blackwell family. What I am about to tell you will be shocking, but you need to hear it carefully."
Elena nodded, her hands gripping her bag tightly.
"You are the daughter of Damon Steel," he said. Elena froze. "Damon Steel… the CEO of the Steel Group, one of the richest men in the country. Your mother… Vanessa… she never told you, but you are his only child."
Elena's mind went blank. Her father? The billionaire? She, the girl who struggled every day just to pay bills, who cooked, cleaned, and worked multiple jobs… she was his daughter?
"I… I don't understand," she whispered. "My mom… she never said anything. She… she left me and David to take care of ourselves."
Mr. Hawthorne nodded gently. "Yes. That is why this is complicated. Your mother didn't know who Damon Steel really was, and Damon… well, he didn't know you existed either. But now, he has requested that you come to meet him. He wants to discuss your future, including the inheritance that legally belongs to you."
Elena shook her head. "I can't… I don't even know him. And I don't want… I mean, I don't know if I'm ready for this."
Mr. Hawthorne gave her a small, understanding smile. "You don't have to decide now. But you need to meet him. He insists it is important. Your life… is about to change."
Elena nodded slowly, still unsure. Her thoughts went to David. How would she manage this? How could she leave him alone? She loved him, and he depended on her.
"I'll need a moment," she said, standing up. "I… I need to think."
"Of course," Mr. Hawthorne said. "We will arrange everything. But remember, you don't have much time. Damon Steel wants to meet you soon."
Elena walked out of the law firm, feeling dizzy. The street lights blurred in her eyes. She had so many questions. Her mind kept going back to her mother, Vanessa. Why had she left them? Why hadn't she ever told Elena the truth?
A cold wind hit her face, and she shivered. She had always survived by herself, but this… this was different. This was a world she had never imagined—a world of wealth, power, and influence. And somehow, she was part of it.
Her phone buzzed again. It was a message from Liam: *"Everything okay? You sounded weird on the phone earlier."*
Elena typed back quickly, forcing herself to sound calm. *"I'm fine. Just tired. I'll see you at the bookstore tomorrow."*
She didn't tell him. She couldn't. How could she explain that she might be a billionaire's daughter? That her life might change overnight?
By the time she got home, the apartment was quiet. David was in the kitchen, eating dinner. "How was work?" he asked.
"Fine," Elena said, setting her bag down. She didn't mention the call, didn't mention the law firm. Not yet.
That night, she lay awake on the sofa. Her mind was full of questions she had no answers to. Damon Steel… the billionaire… her father… she couldn't believe it. The life she had struggled through, the small jobs, the bills, the nights spent worrying about David… could it all really change overnight?
The next morning, Elena received another call from Mr. Hawthorne. He sounded urgent this time.
"Miss Grace, Damon Steel wants to see you tomorrow. You will be accompanied by security. Please be on time."
Elena felt her heart race. Tomorrow? She barely knew what to expect. And yet… there was something in her chest she hadn't felt in a long time—hope. Maybe, just maybe, her life was about to turn around.
She hung up and sat quietly for a moment, staring at the ceiling. Everything had been so hard. Her mother, her struggles, her responsibilities… and now this. A billionaire father she never knew, an inheritance, and a chance to escape the life she had been stuck in for twenty-five years.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. She opened it to find a sleek black car waiting outside. A man in a dark suit stepped forward, holding a folder.
"You are Elena Grace?" he asked politely.
"Yes," she said, her voice trembling.
"You are to come with us. Mr. Steel is expecting you."
Elena's stomach twisted. This was it. There was no turning back. She took a deep breath, grabbed her bag, and stepped forward.
As the car doors closed, Elena couldn't help but glance back at her small apartment. David was watching her from the window, worry and trust mixed in his eyes. She waved quickly, forcing a smile, though her heart was pounding.
The car pulled away, taking her toward a world she had never imagined. Luxury, power, and secrets awaited her. And she had no idea what challenges—and dangers—lay ahead.
All she knew was that her life was about to change forever.