THE HEIRESS VOW - Chapter 15

Chapter 15: Dark Past Uncovered
“Are you alright, Ava?” Liam’s voice cut through the silence, his concern palpable. He stepped closer, his presence both a comfort and a source of confusion.

Ava turned to him, her eyes reflecting the turmoil within. “Liam, everything I thought I knew… it’s all a lie.”

Liam’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

Ava clenched her fists, the revelation still fresh, raw. “I’m not who I thought I was. My mother… she wasn’t just a governess. She was… part of the Beaumont family.”

Liam’s eyes widened. “The Beaumonts? The family that’s been trying to destroy us for years?”

Ava nodded, her voice breaking. “Yes. And now, I’m part of that family. I don’t know who I am anymore.”

Liam reached out, his hand resting on her shoulder. “You’re still you, Ava. This doesn’t change that.”

“But it does, Liam. It explains why they’ve been targeting me, trying to discredit me. They knew all along who I was, and I had no idea.”

Liam’s jaw tightened. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”

Ava stepped back, shaking her head. “How can you say that? Your family has been at war with mine for years. This changes everything.”

Liam’s gaze softened, but there was a hint of something else, something he was holding back. “Ava, there’s something you need to know. My connection to the Beaumonts… it’s deeper than you think.”

Ava’s heart skipped a beat. “What are you talking about?”

Liam took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving hers. “I was engaged to one of them. To Eloise Beaumont.”

Ava’s world tilted, the floor beneath her feeling unsteady. “Engaged? To Eloise? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“It was a long time ago,” Liam said quickly. “Before I met you. But I ended it because I couldn’t be part of their schemes.”

Ava turned away, her mind racing. “So you knew them, you were close to them, and you never thought to tell me?”

Liam stepped closer, his voice desperate. “I didn’t want to hurt you. And I didn’t think it mattered anymore.”

“It matters now,” Ava snapped, her voice trembling with anger and hurt. “Everything matters now.”

Liam’s shoulders sagged, the weight of their situation pressing down on him. “I’m sorry, Ava. I never wanted this for us.”

Ava took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. “We need to find out the truth. About everything.”

Together, they made their way to the study, a room filled with the remnants of Henry Dalton’s secrets. The air was thick with dust and the scent of old paper. Ava’s eyes scanned the room, landing on a bookshelf that seemed slightly out of place.

“Help me with this,” she said, her voice determined.

Liam joined her, and together they pushed the bookshelf aside, revealing a hidden door. Ava’s heart raced as she reached for the handle, the door creaking open to reveal a hidden room.

Inside, the room was filled with documents, maps, and photographs. Ava’s eyes widened as she saw a familiar face staring back at her from one of the photos – her mother, standing beside Henry Dalton.

“What is this place?” Liam whispered, his eyes scanning the room.

Ava’s fingers trembled as she picked up a document. “It’s a record of everything. All of Henry’s schemes, his dealings with the Beaumonts. Everything.”

Liam stepped closer, his eyes narrowing as he read over her shoulder. “This could expose everything he’s done. It could bring him down.”

Ava nodded, her mind racing. “But it also means… he knew. He knew who I was all along.”

Liam’s hand found hers, squeezing it gently. “We’ll use this to our advantage, Ava. We’ll expose him.”

Ava looked up at him, her eyes filled with determination. “We have to. For my mother. For us.”

As they began to gather the documents, a noise from behind startled them. They turned to see Henry Dalton standing in the doorway, his face twisted in anger.

“What do you think you’re doing?” he growled, stepping into the room.

Ava’s heart pounded in her chest, but she stood her ground. “We know everything, Henry. We know about your dealings with the Beaumonts, about my mother.”

Henry’s eyes narrowed. “You think you can stop me? You’re nothing but a pawn in a game you don’t understand.”

Liam stepped forward, his voice firm. “We understand enough. And we have the evidence to expose you.”

Henry laughed, a cold, menacing sound. “You think anyone will believe you? I’ve covered my tracks well.”

Ava held up a document, her voice steady. “We have proof. And we’ll make sure everyone sees it.”

Henry’s expression darkened, but before he could react, a noise from outside the room caught their attention. Footsteps, hurried and frantic, approached the hidden room.

Ava and Liam exchanged a glance, their resolve strengthening. They knew this was just the beginning of their fight. The hidden room had given them the tools they needed, but it had also opened a door to a more dangerous game.