The Secrecy✔

Chapter 54

Liz Collins

"How did you know?" We all turned to him as I was asking him in total shock.

"It's not hard to figure out that you're Lillian. In the beginning, I was shocked to see you for the first time. I don't even think that it's true. Not until I know about Carson's after you, then it all confirms my assumption."

"Dad, how did you know about that in the first place?" Everyone's eyes are still on Mr. Lucas Parkinson.

"Your mother and I are close friends with James and Janet who are Lillian's parents." Lauren nodded.

"I was quite shocked as well when I met you. Your eyes are exactly the same as Janet's and your strong and tough personality represents your father's." Lauren spoke.

"You know my parents?! B-But... They have never been out of Colorado."

"So that's where he was living all along?" Lucas Parkinson muttered.

"Huh?"

"Liz, I mean Lillian, can you tell us your story first?" He asked and I nodded.

"My family and I were living in a forest in Colorado. I don't know why we're living in there. No one had ever discovered that place. My dad built a small institution for people to go and reside, might as well study there. Only a few people encountered that place and they decided to learn and live there, but everyone had to keep this place unknown and only the ones who are there will know. Tori was adopted by my parents. That's what I've known. Alex and Sophia were ones of the people living and studying there." I told everyone. "Only about ten to fifteen people were there. Dad and other elders teach everyone a lot of things, including fighting and defending lessons."

Everyone was quiet the whole time, listening to me intently.

"Years after, Carson came. He was studying with us, living and doing things like everyone do. I was still young back then. I don't know what's going on between my parents and the Ledwell. One day, gunshots were heard everywhere. I was witnessing the cruel things Ledwell did to everyone there. They killed everyone, not a single person was left. My dad hid me somewhere and then Tori came and rescued me, but my family and other people had to face death."

"We don't know what Ledwell wants, but her parents have always been suspicious of them. Since they have arrived, her parents always keep Tori and I away from them, so that they won't really take notice of us. Her parents asked us to protect her because they know that one day, it will happen to them." Alex spoke.

"Carson has always been good and nice to me, but I don't know why he chose to do that."

"We have the evidence, but I don't think it is enough or we can go up against Ledwell alone like this." Sophia said.

"We just want to know what their intention is. They're not after my brother, but they're after me and I don't know why. I'm sure my parents have told Ethan everything and I was still as clueless as a puppy."

"One of the reasons is that Ethan isn't your biological brother." Sam's dad said and I froze.

"Pardon?"

"Before I saw the news and knew what had happened, it's already too late. A day before they announced the death of your family, a letter was sent to me, including some of the other evidences."

"What do you mean?"

"The letter was written by your father. He told me everything and the reason why Ledwell isn't after Ethan because Ethan's not your brother. He's your cousin."

"But... I still don't know why they're after me. I haven't done anything to his family nor I have known him before he has arrived."

"Yes. Everyone there knew that Carson loved you and you did the same thing, too. Still, we don't know why he would kill the family of the girl he loves." Alex pointed out. I looked at Sam and his face was unexplainable.

"WHAT?!" Sam looks like he's about to kill someone fresh and alive with his own hands.

"I'm just a regular girl who lives in a small family like any other people. Why would they do that?"

"Carson loved you?" Lucas asked and Tori, Alex and Sophia nodded for me whereas I was afraid to do anything.

"They have been close to each other back then and anyone could tell they loved each other." Sophia said.

"That's why Carson doesn't kill you. That's why he's after you and not harming you." Lucas said.

"What do you mean, sir?" Everyone was as clueless as I was.

"He's killing several birds with one stone."

"What?"

"Ledwell will have what they want. It's an advantage for them once they have you, Lillian." Lauren said and her husband nodded.

"I don't understand. There are too many things that I missed out. What will they get from me?" This is too much. Finding out that Ethan isn't my biological brother, Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson know my parents...

"You don't know, dear?" Lauren asked me.

"What do you mean?"

"You, being the heiress to your father's empire and a member of a royalty." Lauren said and our jaws dropped to the ground.

"WHAT?" We all uttered out loud.

"HEIRESS?"

"ROYALTY?"

"Yes. James and Janet didn't tell you?" Lucas asked and we still haven't recovered from the shocking news.

"No. I have always wondered why everyone keeps addressing me as a princess, but I thought it was just an endearment." I was speechless and thunderstruck. "T-This is not true, right? My parents are just ordinary people who live in a forest, maybe wanting to be in a peaceful and quiet place. If they're really who they are, then why would they chose to live in a small house in the middle of nowhere?"

"We have to tell you how everything started. Why do we know your parents? How they ended up living in Colorado which I just found out after their death? Why I can't save them?" Lucas said.

"Alright, but... Lucas, I still have one more thing to clear."
Jack asked, staring at Sam and I looked at him in confusion.

"What do you mean, Jack?" I asked him while glancing at Sam as well.

"Sorry, Sam. But we have to tell what happened last night." Jack said and Sam closed his eyes and nodded.

"What happened?" I am worried right now.

"He didn't tell anyone that he got shot when he was bringing you here. Also Carson has been sending warning texts to him, but last night's text proves that Carson is aiming for a lot of things. Sam is also included."

"You got shot?!" I looked at Sam with concerns and a whole ton of worries.

"Why would they include Sam in this?" Tori asked.

"You know that Ledwell has been trying to bring Sam down, right? And he is never close to success, but this time, he has a chance. A chance to get what he wants from Sam as well." Jack explained as he was handing Sam's phone to Asher. "Carson wouldn't want you to get shot, however, yesterday, he wanted to confirm something, so that's why his guys shot you. That's why they shot you in the shoulder and not somewhere that will cause severe or serious injury."

"What do you mean, Jack?" Mr. Lucas asked.

"If Carson couldn't bring Sam down before, then why could he do that now? There's nothing that changes." Tori said. Asher handed Sam's phone to Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson. Asher's face tells me that what he had discovered isn't good at all.

"There's nothing that changes, but there's something that Carson has always wanted to find out from Sam for years." Asher said.

"They have found it." Jack nodded and even Sam's parents knew what that is.
"What is it?" Tori asked with squinted eyes. I'm sure only Tori, Alex, Sophia and I don't know what they're talking about.

My eyes are staring straight into the person that is leaning against the table whereas his blue eyes are already staring back at me. However, Asher started speaking again and I turned my head to look at him. But... Asher's next statement makes my heart drop while Asher is looking at me in the eyes, implying something.

"Sam's weakness."