Elizabeth Pov:

  "How come you're the mother figure to these people? Where are their parents?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. It all seemed so strange - why would a kind and gentle woman like Mrs. Evans be caring for these ruthless individuals who only knew how to kill?

  My mind raced with questions, and I knew Mrs. Evans was the only one who could provide answers. I turned to her, and our eyes met. She looked hesitant, as if unsure if she should reveal what she knew. I took her hand in mine, offering a reassuring squeeze. "You can tell me, I promise I won't tell them anything," I whispered as if we were about to share a deep secret.

  After a moment of contemplation, Mrs. Evans began to speak, her voice barely above a whisper. "The boys were 22 when their parents died." She paused, collecting her thoughts before continuing. "It was a tragic accident, and they were left alone. I took them under my wing, trying to fill the void left by their parents' passing."

  I listened intently, sensing there was more to the story. "What about their father?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

  Mrs. Evans' expression turned somber, and she hesitated before speaking again. "Their father... was a complicated man. He was involved in some questionable activities, and his death was... suspicious."

  I was taken aback by her words, my mind racing with questions and doubts. I remained silent, allowing her to continue, my eyes fixed on hers.

  "It all started with your father," she whispered harshly, her words hanging in the air like a challenge. I felt a surge of defensiveness, remembering Ethan's similar accusations. How could my father be involved in this?

  Unable to hold back, I asked, my voice tinged with annoyance, "How is my dad involved in this?" I demanded, my eyes narrowing.

  Mrs. Evans' expression turned somber. "Your father used to be the most loyal employee of this family," she said, her words dripping with a hint of bitterness.

  I was taken aback, my mind reeling with confusion. "An employee?" I repeated, my voice laced with disbelief. "Yes, an employee whom this family trusted more than their own lives," she continued, her eyes clouding over. "But in the end, that greedy human devoured this family and destroyed the boys' lives."

  I shook my head, defending my father. "You must be talking about another person; my father is nothing like that." I protested, my voice firm.

  Mrs. Evans' gaze locked onto mine, her expression unreadable. "Believe it or not, it's up to you," she said, her words dripping with an air of mystery.

  "But honestly, the truth is that your father ruined this family," Mrs. Evans said, her words laced with a hint of bitterness.

  I shook my head, defending my father. "Alright, let's say my father destroyed a happy family, but how? That man never hurt a fly."

  Mrs. Evans' chuckle was bitter and unsettling. "Do you want me to tell you the whole thing?" she asked, her eyes piercing through mine.

  I hesitated, unsure if I was ready for the truth, but my curiosity got the better of me. "Yes, tell me the truth."

  Mrs. Evans' expression turned grave. "Are you sure you can handle this truth?" she asked, her voice low and cautionary.

  "Yes!" I replied, without thinking twice about my decision.

  "Alright then, I will tell you the truth, but promise me that you won't tell anything to anyone," she said, her eyes locked onto mine.

  "I promise," I said, sealing my fate without realizing the weight of my words. Little did I know, I would soon regret this decision...

  After making me promise, Mrs. Evans got up and walked towards the windows, locking them securely before exiting the room. I wanted to protest, but she was already gone. Instead of growing impatient, I decided to wait calmly for her return. I closed my eyes, resting my head against the headboard, and adjusted the pillow behind my neck. The minutes ticked by, feeling like an eternity.

  Finally, I heard the door open, and I opened my eyes to see Mrs. Evans re-entering the room, carrying what appeared to be a stack of papers. I looked at her with confusion, but also with patience, hoping for the answers I so desperately sought. Closing the door behind her, she turned to me with a gentle smile and said, "Here are the things I can tell you about without putting both of us in danger."

  My curiosity was piqued, and I leaned forward slightly, eager to learn the secrets she held. The papers rustled as she began to sort through them, her eyes scanning the contents before sharing them with me.

  "Please tell me now, Mam, I'm dying to know about all of this and about the reason why I'm being tortured here like this," I urged, my patience wearing thin.

  Mrs. Evans sat down beside me, her smile calming my nerves. "The truth is that your father and my boss are cousins and brothers," she began, her words measured and deliberate.

  I leaned in, my mind racing with questions. "But due to your father's father losing the family fortune in gambling, your father and mother were thrown out onto the streets. The result of your grandfather's reckless behavior was his demise," she continued, her eyes filled with a deep sadness.

  The words hung in the air, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. The secrets and lies were slowly unraveling, and I was determined to learn more.

  "And what about my father's role in all of this?" I pressed my voice barely above a whisper.

  Mrs. Evans' expression turned grave, and she hesitated before speaking. "Your father... he made a choice, a choice that has led to all of this."

  Please tell me now, Mam, I'm dying to know about all of this and about the reason why I'm being tortured here like this," I urged, my patience wearing thin.

  Mrs. Evans sat down beside me, her smile calming my nerves. "The truth is that your father and my boss are cousins and brothers, but due to your father's father losing the family fortune in gambling, your father and mother were thrown out onto the streets. The result of your grandfather's reckless behavior was his demise," she continued, her eyes filled with a deep sadness.

  I listened intently, my mind racing with questions. "But what about my father's role in all of this? What did he do to deserve such treatment?" I pressed my voice barely above a whisper.

  Mrs. Evans' expression turned grave, and she hesitated before speaking. "Your father... he made a choice, a choice that has led to all of this. He was allowed to redeem himself, but he refused, and now he's paying the price.

  The words whispered, looking at me with an unfazed reaction, she replied, "Yes, those two boys are adopted." Now I wanted to know everything. "Please keep telling me," I whispered, clenching my fist under the blanket.

  "My boss and mistress adopted the boys when they were 15 to 16 years old, with Ethan being the younger of them," she continued, her voice measured and deliberate. "Everything was going well; everyone loved the boys. Life was great, like a happy fairy tale... but for how long would the family be saved from the evil eyes?"

  She paused, and I remained silent, not wanting to interrupt her. She took a deep breath before proceeding.

  "One day, there was a meeting held on the boys' birthday, and at the same time, your father received his award for being the most loyal person to the company. That night, after the huge party, our boss announced that the boys would be the CEOs after they graduated from college. Until then, your father would be the one taking care of the company with him."

  She gulped, and I urged her to continue the story. "Your father... he wasn't happy about the decision. He felt betrayed, and his loyalty was tested. That's when things started to unravel..."

  To.be.continued.