Chapter 5: New life

The woman’s eyes, a sharp contrast to the tired lines of her face, shone with a deep, penetrating sadness.

“You must be... I mean, I have waited a long time to finally meet you.”

I felt a shiver run down my spine. Her words were too loaded with meaning, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was about to uncover a truth that would shatter my already fractured world.

“My name is Eleanor,” she said, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m your grandmother.”

The air seemed to grow thicker, heavier, as she reached into a worn, leather bag and pulled out several photographs. She laid them carefully on the small table between us. The first was a picture of me as a baby, cradled in the arms of a woman I did not recognize. Beside it was a photograph of my father, younger but unmistakably familiar.

I stared at the pictures, my mind struggling to piece together the fragments of the story Eleanor was about to reveal. The confusion and fear must have been visible on my face because Eleanor’s eyes softened with sympathy.

“I’m afraid I have some terrible news,” she said quietly.

“Your mother—she was killed by Apollo and Alonza Sanchez.”

The names hit me like a punch to the gut. My parents. The people I had always known as my own, the ones I thought had been my steadfast protectors. The realization was slow, cruel, as the pieces of my life fell into place, revealing a twisted tableau of betrayal.

“Those people,” Eleanor continued, her voice barely above a whisper, “are not who you think they are. They adopted you after they murdered my daughter. You were meant to be raised as a pawn in their games.”

I tried to process her words, but they seemed to echo hollowly in my mind. The mother I had always known was not my real mother. The father who had guided me through life was a murderer. Everything I believed was a lie, and the world I knew had been a facade.

The weight of Eleanor’s revelation felt like a shroud of darkness, engulfing me completely. I struggled to catch my breath as the enormity of her words echoed in my mind. Apollo and Alonza Sanchez—my supposed parents—had been responsible for my real mother’s death. The idea that my entire life had been built on a foundation of lies was almost too much to bear.

The turmoil inside me was like a storm, wild and relentless. I wanted to scream, to confront them, to make them pay for the pain they had caused. But Eleanor’s presence held me in check, her words like a lifeline even amidst the chaos.

“Don’t let your anger consume you,” she urged, sensing my inner struggle.

“If you act out now, you’ll lose the chance to make things right. I can help you, but you must listen.”

The desperation in her eyes mirrored my own, and I forced myself to listen. Eleanor’s plan was elaborate and extravagant—freedom from this cell, a luxurious life, a position of immense power as CEO of one of the largest companies in the world. She promised mentorship and guidance, ensuring that I would be prepared to wield the power I would inherit.

The offer was seductive, especially against the backdrop of my recent betrayals. I could feel the allure of vengeance mingling with the promise of a new beginning, a chance to reclaim my life.

“I know it’s hard,” Eleanor said, reading my internal conflict.

“But think of this as a way to get back at them, to make them see the consequences of their actions. With my help, you can build a new life and become the force that they will regret ever crossing.”

I was torn. The idea of living in luxury, of having the power to exact revenge, was almost intoxicating. Yet, beneath the surface, a small voice reminded me of the weight of vengeance, the cost of giving in to anger.

“Will you help me?” I asked, my voice steadier now, my resolve firming up despite the tumultuous emotions swirling inside me.

Eleanor’s eyes brightened with relief. “Yes, I will. You will have the means to make them pay.”

I clenched my fists to keep from trembling, the rage and grief swirling inside me like a maelstrom.

“But why didn’t you do something earlier?” I asked, my voice breaking. “Why didn’t you put them in prison?”

Eleanor’s eyes, lined with both age and anguish, met mine. “I didn’t have enough evidence. They were careful, always staying one step ahead. They vanished, moving to a different town. It took years of waiting and investigation to even find you.”

Her words cut through the storm of my emotions, giving me a sliver of clarity amidst the chaos.

“But why wait until now?” I pressed, feeling a sense of betrayal even in her well-intentioned plans. “Why didn’t you come to me sooner?”

Eleanor’s gaze softened with sorrow. “I was waiting for the right moment. I knew you were in their control, and I couldn’t risk exposing myself or you to danger before the time was right. When I finally found out about your marriage, I knew you were close to a breaking point. I couldn’t bear to see my only granddaughter suffering in that prison, trapped by the very people who had torn our family apart.”

Her confession was raw and heartfelt, and the truth of her words struck me deeply. Tears welled in my eyes, cascading down my cheeks. The loss of my real mother, the betrayal of my adoptive parents, and the lies that had been my reality all these years felt like an unbearable weight.

Eleanor’s hand reached out, touching mine gently. “I’m so sorry for everything you’ve endured. But now, we have a chance to change things. I need you to stay strong and focused. With my help, you can rise above this and exact the justice you deserve.”

Through my tears, I nodded, my resolve hardening despite the tumultuous sea of emotions within me. 

“I will never forgive them!”

The prison doors swung open, and Eleanor's driver and assistant awaited me. The transition from the cold, sterile confines of the cell to the opulence of the outside world was almost surreal.

As I stepped into the sleek, black luxury car, the contrast between my previous life and the one ahead became starkly apparent.

The car’s interior was plush and immaculate. Eleanor’s assistant offered me a glass of water, and her driver started the engine with a smooth purr. Eleanor settled beside me, her presence a calming force amidst the whirlwind of emotions I was experiencing.

“Let’s take this one step at a time,” she said, her voice steady and reassuring.

“We’ll start by establishing your new identity and preparing for the transition. The road ahead will be challenging, but you’ll have the resources and support you need.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The luxury of the car, the professionalism of Eleanor’s team, and the promise of a new life seemed like a distant dream. Yet, the pain of the past was still fresh, and the desire for vengeance burned brightly within me.

“You are now Amethyst Amadeus; that’s your new and real name,” she said, smiling.