Bound by Lies & Fate

Intro

I have made the decision to now publish my book after getting so much feedback and praise for it. So I left the first 10 chapters here for you, and if you wanted to read more than you can read it here: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B0DMV2BJTL?ref_=dbs_p_pwh_rwt_cpsb_cl_0&storeType=ebooks

Also, hurry up and read book two before this one is taken off as welll:)

 Thx Mandi xxxxx

Intro - Eden

One of the things I hate about being a lawyer is silence and paper rustling. I have used this tactic before, and I know what it means. It is trying to delay bad news or maybe something that I don't want to hear. My mouth is dry and my palms start to moisten, but being a lawyer means I know how to hide all of this. The lawyer sitting across from me is sweating and breathing heavily as we sit here – he is nervous. I have always had this ability to sense when people are nervous or lying. I suppose that's why I make a good lawyer. I slowly grab my necklace, a golden bird pendant that my mother gave me when I was 16 years old. I never took it off after she told me how precious it was to her.

"Miss Beecroft, I am very sorry for your loss. Death is not easy to deal with, and we offer services that can help you grieve if you need them." These are the standard words we use to ease someone's pain. I never thought I would be on the receiving end of this; losing my mom to a sudden heart attack makes this so much worse. I don't want to be here. I want to go and snuggle in her bed, put on her clothes, and lay there hearing her voice again as we discuss the ins and outs of my day and hers. So, I sit patiently, listening to unconvincing words from this lawyer and give him the best poker face I have.

"Miss Beecroft, did you hear what I said?" I blink a few times, trying to refocus on what is happening. "Sorry, no. I was thinking that maybe I might take up on that offer of services you spoke about," I reply with absolute conviction, not caring about what he has to offer me. He gives me a sympathetic look and writes something down on a random post-it note.

"Miss Beecroft, your mother was a very wealthy woman, a woman of rich heritage, and what I have to say might come as a shock to you. Her name was Vivian Ravenwood." This gentleman is around 50 years old, a good-looking man with soft features- not the type of lawyer you would typically see at my firm, but he appears genuine. However, from what my mother and my career has taught me, you must earn trust and never underestimate anyone. So, I maintain the perfect lawyer's facial expression and listen with intent.

"Did you know that your mother owned property in Woodville Springs?" Now my ears perk up. I had to comprehend what he was really saying – WEALTHY, RICH, and PROPERTY. We moved a lot when I was little. Being that she was a single mom and after years of rent hikes and crazy prices in certain areas, we moved to suit the things that she could afford. It wasn't until I finished law school with a full scholarship and got my current job that I ended up buying my mom an apartment not far from my own. I wouldn't have minded having my mom live with me; we got along like best friends, which is why everything he is saying doesn't make sense. I grab my necklace again, rubbing the bird in my fingertips, thinking about all of this, and putting the pieces together. Then I look down at the necklace, could it be a Raven, something from my mom's past? She spoke very eloquently, and always knew the crazy facts like someone who has had a good education, but that it not how we lived, we lived in small apartments, lived on food stamps and my mom would never buy herself anything expensive.

"Sorry, what do you mean property? My mother didn't own property." He looked at me with remorse.

"Yeah, I suspected that this would be the conversation. Your mother approached me about a year ago with the intent to have this ready for her passing. I asked her to prepare these for you." He handed me the deck of papers and a letter that was written in my mother's handwriting.

To my sweet little pup,

I have had to take precautions as I haven't always been honest about my past and yours. I know this might be a shock to the system, being that we have lived a very different life from what I am going to tell you now. But, my beautiful girl, I am not who I say I am, and neither are you. And now I need you to do something for me which I know I can never do.

I assume by the letter, the unthinkable has happened to me, and I am now not with you, so this letter is all you need to know for now.

There is a house on a hill there, off Ravens Road. It is the only house for miles, so you will know it when you see it. This is my house and my land given to me by my grandmother, who I loved dearly. You are to protect this house with all your might. This is a house I have kept for a reason, and no matter who asks you, no matter who wants it, you are to never give it away.

I want you to go to a town called Woodville Springs. There you will find Eclipse, ask for Ashton Myers, and tell him you are Vivian Ravenwood's daughter.

I am leaving you with an impossible task that I could never do instead. But I know you, my cunning and smart daughter, will do what needs to be done.

Good luck and know that I am with you forever xxxx.

With love,

Mom.

I look at the lawyer with a shocked look, expecting some more answers from him, knowing that he probably knows nothing more than what I was given. "Sorry, can you repeat everything you said again?"