Chapter 122. Sudden Hope

Elena’s POV

“What is it?” I pushed myself upright at once, my heart jumping as I studied his face. My thoughts raced. Had Sara done something again? Was there more trouble coming our way? Then, to my surprise, his expression softened into something close to relief. “I understand,” he said into the phone. “That’s good news. Well done.”

He ended the call and wrapped his arms around me, his excitement impossible to miss. “Elena,” he said, almost breathless, “we may have uncovered something about your mother.”

“…What?” The word left my mouth in a sharp gasp. For years, people had told me she might still be alive, that she could simply be in hiding. I always thought they were just being kind. In my heart, I’d already mourned her. I believed she died the day she walked out of our lives. And now…now they were saying she was alive and may have been found.

“Are you serious?” I asked, my pulse racing. “Where is she? Is she safe? How did you even...”

He res