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25
By the time Ana reached the camp, it was already dark out. It looked deserted, already made of its use, but light still emerged from the hole that was surrounded by wooden posts. Her mother was here for left overs. Tommy Shelby and his gang had already left.
She scaled her way around until she was metres away from the entrance, the lamp light becoming brighter by the moment. Ana held her breath.
Ekaterina pulled herself from the tunnel, eyes blinking away the tear that formed in her eyes from the dust and stress. He knees were scratched and her back ached, but the feeling of the bag of jewels heavy in her hands made everything feel numb in ecstasy.
But then her whole body weakened at the sight of her youngest daughter, face stricken with betrayal.
"Mama," Ana breathed out in disbelief.
She had know the truth, discussed it in detail with her sister. She had come out here to prove herself right and to make things correct. But seeing her mother in the incriminating position made her throat go dry and teeth clench.
"Ana, my darling. Anastasiya, we have done it." Ekaterina's eyes still pricked but she stumbled forward, holding the bag up.
But Ana edged back, horror written on her face. "No, you've done it. You have done terrible things," she growled, glaring at her mother. "You lied. You lied about who you were helping. Anton. Constantine. He's the man you're doing this for. He died and you're taking your revenge. That was the code word, that day."
"I'm doing this for us, Anastasiya," she tried to convince her, but Ana shook her head harshly.
"No, you're doing this for you. Who are those jewels for?"
"Ana-"
"Who." She bit her tongue, waiting for the answer she could already imagine word for word.
Ekaterina's face blackened. "Us. We'll take them far away."
"What about the conflict?"
"I don't care about that anymore," she spat, her shoulders slumping. "Once he died, once Constantine died... there's no part in this for us, Ana."
"Who were they going to be for?"
"Not your Aunt's side. If that answers it," she said, bitterness lacing her voice. "I need you to let me leave, dearest." She stepped forward, pleading. "If you're not on my side I will leave, never see you again."
