Chapter 6: The Bracelet Clue

Ivy paced her apartment, her thoughts spinning like a storm. The cryptic message on the back of the photo haunted her:

“Find the bracelet. It holds the truth.”

She hadn’t been able to sleep all night, and by morning, her mind was made up. She needed to return to the Kings’ estate. There was only one place that bracelet could be—somewhere in Ethan’s wing of the mansion. And she had just the excuse to get in: she had left a scarf behind after one of their meetings. Or at least, that’s what she’d tell the housekeeper.

By noon, she stood at the large iron gates, clutching her purse and trying to breathe through the nerves. Aiden had offered to come with her, but she had refused. This was something she had to do alone.

The housekeeper, Judith, let her in with little resistance. “Mr. Ethan isn’t home,” she said. “He left for the Hamptons this morning. You’re safe to look around.”

That word—safe—meant nothing in a house full of secrets.

Ivy made her way to the east wing, where Ethan’s private quarters were. The cold, sleek design of the hallway matched his personality—polished, charming, and completely devoid of warmth.

She entered his study and closed the door behind her, heart racing. If Ethan came back early…

She shook the thought off. She had to move fast.

Her eyes scanned the room: bookshelves, an ornate desk, a bar cart. No bracelet in sight. She moved toward the desk and began opening drawers, rummaging through papers and boxes.

Then she found it.

A velvet box tucked beneath a stack of old letters.

With trembling hands, she opened it.

Inside was a tiny silver bracelet—aged, but still beautiful. Etched on it was a symbol: a crescent moon and two stars.

Just like the one on the baby's wrist in the photo.

She turned the bracelet over. On the back, in barely visible engraving, were the initials: "E.K."

"E.K."?

Her breath caught. Not "Ethan King."

Evelyn King. The twins' mother.

So why was the bracelet in Ethan’s possession?

She felt her knees wobble.

Then she saw something else in the box.

Another photograph. This one more recent.

Aiden—standing beside a young woman with dark eyes and an unmistakable resemblance to him.

The date was just a year ago.

On the back:

"To my firstborn. Forgive me. –E."

Firstborn?

The sound of a door slamming echoed through the mansion.

Ivy’s blood ran cold.

He wasn’t supposed to be here.

Footsteps.

Coming closer.

Panic surged through her chest as she stuffed the items back into the drawer and slid it shut. She raced to the hallway, but it was too late.

Ethan stood at the end of the corridor, his piercing eyes locked on hers.

“Well, well,” he said, voice like ice. “Curiosity really is your fatal flaw.”

Ivy tried to remain calm. “I was just—looking for my scarf.”

Ethan’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “The one you’re holding?”

She looked down. Her scarf was in her hand.

She hadn’t even realized she picked it up.

“I thought it was in your room,” she stammered.

“Let me guess,” Ethan said, stepping closer. “You weren’t just admiring my desk drawer, were you?”

She backed up. “I didn’t touch anything.”

His voice dropped. “You touched everything.”

Before she could respond, Ethan grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the study. He flung open the drawer—and froze.

The box was gone.

He stared at the empty space, then turned slowly toward her, eyes blazing.

“You took it.”

“I didn’t!” Ivy gasped.

But the drawer wasn’t how she left it. Someone had moved the box.

“I swear it was there a minute ago!”

Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “Then who took it?”

Ivy was about to answer when a voice came from the door.

“Maybe the better question is—who put it there in the first place?”

Aiden stood at the threshold, his presence like thunderclouds gathering.

“What are you doing here?” Ethan asked.

“I followed her,” Aiden replied, stepping in. “And it’s a good thing I did.”

He turned to Ivy. “Come on. We’re leaving.”

Ethan blocked their path. “Not until she tells me what she took.”

“She didn’t take anything,” Aiden said. “You did. Years ago.”

“I’m warning you—”

“No,” Aiden interrupted, his tone sharp. “I’m warning you. If I find out you’ve been hiding our mother all this time, you’ll lose more than a title.”

Ivy’s heart slammed. “You think Ethan has her?”

“I think he knows more than he’s pretending,” Aiden said.

But Ethan’s smirk returned. “If I did… maybe she asked to stay hidden.”

The room fell silent.

And then Ethan added, “You never wondered why she ran with you and not with me?”

Aiden stiffened. “What are you talking about?”

Ethan stepped closer. “She didn’t want you both. She chose one.”

He leaned in.

“And it wasn’t you.”

Ivy looked between them, stunned. Aiden’s jaw tightened.

Ethan continued, “Guess you were never the favorite after all.”

Before Aiden could respond, Ivy’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She looked down.

One new message.

Unknown Number: “The twins are only part of the lie. Your baby changes everything.”

Her fingers trembled.

This wasn’t just about Aiden and Ethan.

This was about her child.

And the bloodline everyone was willing to kill to control.