Liam's POVThe couple standing in front of us didn't flinch when Elijah demanded to know who they really were.Instead the woman reached into her purse then pulled out something wrapped in cloth. She unwrapped it carefully to reveal what looked like old photographs."These are from the fire," she said while holding them out toward Elijah. "The night we last saw you. The night we thought we'd lost you forever."Elijah didn't move to take them so the man stepped forward with the photos. "Look at them. Really look. You'll see the truth."I watched Elijah's face as he finally took the photographs with hands that wouldn't stop shaking. His eyes scanned the first image then went wide.He flipped to the second photo…Then the third…Whatever he was seeing was breaking through his certainty that these people were lying."What are those?" I asked."Pictures from the night my parents died." Elijah's voice was barely above a whisper. "The fire at our house. I remember parts of it — The smoke, th

Liam's POVI didn't sleep that night because my mind wouldn't stop thinking through scenarios about what might happen when I met my father in the morning.Every time I closed my eyes I not only saw Elijah's face when he drove away but also the couple claiming to be his parents along with Sarah's warning about brainwashing echoing in my head until by the time dawn came I was exhausted but still wide awake.Claire tried to convince me not to go but I told her I needed answers even if those answers destroyed what little trust I had left.She kissed me goodbye then made me promise to call if anything went wrong.I promised even though I wasn't sure what wrong would look like anymore.The drive to Bellevue Square took thirty minutes through early morning traffic.I kept checking my phone for updates from Ashley about Elijah but there was nothing. There were no calls or texts, just silence that made me think about the worst case scenario.When I pulled into the parking lot I saw my father's

Liam's POVThe blade remained firmly against the man’s throat, his words reverberating in my mind.Young master Ackerman…That name resounded once more — the very name that popped up in the documents chronicling my past. It was also the name uttered by that man in Bellevue Square when he spoke of my father.“What did you just say?” I demanded.“Young master Ackerman.” Despite the pressure of the weapon against his skin, the man's voice was unwavering. “Don’t you recall me? I once served your family when you were just a child.”“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”“You would visit our home with your father.” His gaze was hollow as it locked onto mine. “You and Elijah would frolic in the garden together. You were about four; he was five.”I pressed the sword more firmly. “I’ve never set foot in your home prior to now.”“Oh, yes you have.” The woman interjected for the first time. “Your father brought you weekly for months. You’d spend hours there while he and my husband discussed

Liam's POVI removed the picture from the album. Then I tucked the album back on its shelf as I went straight outside.I drove with the photograph pressed against my palm like it might disappear if I loosened my grip.The edges were worn from being tucked into that album for years and the paper felt thin enough that one wrong move could tear it in half.My father's house came into view first because it was closer and I figured maybe he'd taken the day off or decided to work from home, but when I pulled up to the curb and sat there staring at the empty driveway I already knew he wouldn't be inside.The windows looked dark and there was no car in the garage when I craned my neck to check through the gap in the door.I sat there for a moment with my hands still on the wheel trying to decide if this was worth it.Going to his office meant walking into Charles's territory and after everything that had happened between us that felt like stepping onto a minefield blindfolded. But I needed an

Liam's POVI pulled into the hospital parking lot faster than I should have and left the car in the first spot I found without caring if it was properly between the lines.I ran through the automatic doors and headed straight for the elevator that would take me to Elijah's floor. The ride up felt like it took forever even though it was probably only thirty seconds and when the doors finally opened I could already hear the shouting coming from down the hallway.Ashley was standing near the nurses station with two security guards positioned between her and a middle aged couple who were making enough noise that every patient on the floor probably knew they were there.The woman had her finger pointed at Ashley like she was about to physically stab her with it while the man beside her had his face twisted into an expression of pure rage that made the veins in his neck stand out."Where the hell is my son?" Elijah's father shouted and his voice echoed off the walls in a way that made me wi