Page 96 of Betrayal and Vows

“And now this one,” he says.

He pulls the phone back and flashes another picture. I can tell it’s a new thread.

I frown and take the phone and zoom up. It’s two young women, arms around each other, grinning in the kind of way only real friends can.

“That’s my mom,” I say, pointing at the woman with the golden hair and familiar smile. “That’s Elena.”

I can see realization dawn. “The other one… that’s my mom.”

My mouth drops open.

Our mothers. Together. Laughing.

We look at each other.

There’s a message attached to the image.

“The truth isn’t lost; it’s just waiting.”

“Who sent that?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I don’t know.”

“Our mothers knew each other?” I ask.

He looks at me with suspicion.

"What does it mean?" I whisper.

Anton shakes his head. "I don't know. But whoever sent this knows more about us than we know about ourselves."

A chill runs down my spine. "Do you think they were friends? Before everything happened to you?"

"Maybe. Or maybe..." He trails off, his eyes distant. "Maybe there's more to the story than either of us knows."

If our mothers knew each other, if there was some connection between our families before Vadim destroyed Anton's life, then what we feel for each other might not be a coincidence at all.

"Anton, what if?—"

"Lena." His voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. "You need to get back. Now."

I blink at him. "But this changes everything. If our mothers?—"

"It changes nothing about right now." He's already pulling on his shirt. "You've been gone too long. Someone will notice."

My heart sinks as I watch him transform back into the controlled bodyguard I first met.

I have no idea what happens now.

Is he angry with me? Does he think I hid something from him?

I can’t feel what he’s thinking.

He’s completely shut down.

Did I lose him?

Chapter 17