Chapter 4 A Rift Exposed

The argument between Rachel and Edward had left the air thick with tension. Emilia felt like she was walking on thin ice, unsure of how to navigate the complex web of emotions and alliances.

As the night wore on, the silence between the three of them grew heavier. Rachel's presence seemed to have exposed a deep rift between her and Edward, and Emilia couldn't help but wonder what had caused it.

"Rachel, why are you here?" Emilia asked, breaking the silence.

Rachel's eyes locked onto Emilia's, a hint of sadness in their depths. "I'm here for the truth," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "A truth that Edward seems to be hiding."

Edward's face darkened, his jaw clenched in anger. "There's nothing to tell, Rachel. You're just stirring up old wounds."

But Rachel's words had planted a seed of doubt in Emilia's mind. What was Edward hiding? And what did Rachel hope to achieve by coming back?

The clock struck midnight, and the manor grew quiet. Emilia couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. She decided to take a walk in the gardens, hoping the fresh air would clear her mind.

As she strolled along the moonlit paths, she heard footsteps behind her. It was Rachel.

"Can't sleep either?" Rachel asked, falling into step beside Emilia.

Emilia shook her head. "Too much on my mind."

Rachel nodded. "I know the feeling. I've been carrying a secret for years, and it's eating away at me."

Emilia's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of secret?"

Rachel hesitated, then leaned in close. "Something about Edward. Something that could change everything."

The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Rachel's words hung in the air. Emilia's heart pounded in anticipation.

"What is it?" Emilia whispered, her voice barely audible.

Rachel's eyes locked onto Emilia's, a mix of fear and determination in their depths. "I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to tell Edward. Not yet."

Emilia nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. What could Rachel possibly reveal that would change everything?

Rachel took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the moonlit gardens as if searching for an escape. "Edward isn't who you think he is," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Emilia's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?" she asked, her mind racing with possibilities.

Rachel's gaze locked onto Emilia's, a mix of fear and determination in their depths. "Edward isn't our brother," she said, the words tumbling out like a confession. "At least, not by blood."

Emilia's world tilted on its axis. "What are you talking about?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Rachel's words spilled out like a dam breaking. "Our parents adopted Edward when he was a baby. They never told him the truth about his parentage. And there's more..."

Emilia's mind reeled as she tried to process the revelation. "What do you mean, 'there's more'?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

Rachel's eyes seemed to bore into Emilia's soul. "Edward's biological parents... they're still alive. And they're coming for him."

The moonlit gardens seemed to darken, as if the shadows themselves were closing in. Emilia's heart pounded in her chest as she realized that everything she thought she knew about Edward was a lie.

*Chapter 18: Shockwaves*

Emilia's mind reeled as she tried to process the revelation. Edward wasn't a Blackwood by blood? His biological parents were alive and coming for him? The implications were staggering.

Rachel's eyes searched Emilia's face, as if gauging her reaction. "I know this is a lot to take in," she said, her voice softening. "But I had to tell someone. I couldn't keep this secret anymore."

Emilia's thoughts swirled with questions. Why had Edward's adoptive parents kept his true identity a secret? And who were his biological parents, really?

As she struggled to wrap her head around the truth, Emilia realized that her relationship with Edward was about to change forever. The man she loved was hiding secrets, and she wasn't sure if she could trust him anymore.

"Rachel, why now?" Emilia asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why reveal this secret now, after all these years?"

Rachel's expression turned determined. "Because I think it's time Edward knew the truth about himself. And I think it's time he faced the consequences of being a Blackwood."

As Emilia grappled with the revelation about Edward's true identity, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to the story. Rachel's words had raised more questions than answers.

"Rachel, what do you know about Edward's biological parents?" Emilia asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Rachel hesitated, as if unsure how much to reveal. "I don't know much," she admitted. "But I've heard whispers... rumors, really. About a powerful family with a dark history. Some say they're cursed."

Emilia's skin prickled with unease. "What kind of dark history?"

Rachel's voice dropped to a whisper. "Murder, betrayal, secrets kept for generations. Some say they're still hiding in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."

The air seemed to thicken with foreboding. Emilia's mind reeled with the implications. Was Edward's family history truly cursed? And what did it mean for their future?

Suddenly, a twig snapped in the distance. Emilia's heart skipped a beat as she turned to Rachel. "Did you hear that?"

Rachel's eyes locked onto Emilia's, a flicker of fear in their depths. "We should get back to the manor," she whispered. "It's not safe out here."

The darkness seemed to closing in. Emilia's instincts screamed that they were being watched.

As Emilia and Rachel hurried back to the manor, the darkness seemed to press in around them. Every snap of a twig or rustle of leaves made Emilia's heart skip a beat.

Once they were safely inside, Rachel locked the door behind them and leaned against it, her eyes scanning the hallway. "I think we should be careful," she whispered. "We don't know who might be watching."

Emilia nodded, her mind racing with possibilities. Who could be lurking in the shadows, and what did they want?

As they made their way to their bedrooms, Emilia couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but the hallway was empty.

As she entered her bedroom, she noticed something odd. A small piece of paper on her nightstand caught her eye. It was a note, scribbled in hasty handwriting:

"Trust no one. Not even him."

Emilia's heart sank. Who could have written this? And what did they mean?

She showed the note to Rachel, who paled. "This changes everything," Rachel whispered. "We have to be careful. We can't trust anyone."