Chapter 5

I spent three days alone in this enormous penthouse.

During those three days, I didn't contact anyone.

John didn't bother me, either.

The first thing I did was toss that battered suitcase, along with the worn-out clothes I had lived in for years, down the garbage chute.

They were gone for good, like my old life as Norah Zamora.

I walked into the spacious walk-in closet, where the racks were filled with brand-new clothes, tags still hanging.

Catherine had selected every single piece for me ahead of time.

There were comfortable loungewear sets, tailored suits, and elegant evening gowns.

Every piece was perfect for me.

It felt as if she always anticipated I would need them someday.

I reached for the plain white cotton maxi dress and slipped it on.

Then I spent the entire day exploring every nook and cranny of this home.

There were three bedrooms, four bathrooms, an open kitchen, a gym, a home theater, and a vast terrace overlooking the river.

Everything here was so expensive that it took my breath away.

However, not a trace of excitement or joy stirred within me.

I felt like a ghost trespassing in someone else's world.

All of this belonged to a woman named Elaine Carter.

And I was still trying hard to become her.

*****

On the third night, I finally entered the study.

It was the simplest room in the whole penthouse.

A wall of bookshelves stood against one side, alongside a spacious mahogany desk and a cozy leather swivel chair.

The safe was built into the wall behind the bookshelves, so cleverly concealed that it would go unnoticed at first glance.

I took a deep breath and approached the safe.

The electronic keypad lit up.

My fingers shook while I entered my birthday, one digit at a time.

It was the only detail I retained about who I truly was after being taken to the Zamora family.

It was also the sole secret I shared with Catherine.

A soft beep confirmed that my code worked.

The heavy safe door slowly opened.

There were no gold bars, no sparkling jewelry, and no piles of cash as I had imagined.

The interior was surprisingly small, containing only three items.

At the top was a deep blue velvet box.

In the middle lay a thick leather-bound diary.

At the very bottom sat a black external hard drive, no larger than my palm.

My heart started pounding.

I picked up the velvet box and opened it.

Inside, a ring rested quietly.

It was that emerald ring I could recognize anywhere.

It was the same one Catherine once said had gone "missing."

Her icy words replayed in my mind: "You really disappointed me."

Only then did I realize that it had all been an act from beginning to end.

Each cruel remark and every display was her way of protecting me.

I picked up the ring, the emerald glinting with a deep, mesmerizing glow.

I held it tightly in my palm, as if Catherine's warmth still lingered on the metal.

Then, I reached for the diary.

The cover was crafted from soft lamb leather, devoid of any title.

I opened to the first page.

Her elegant, familiar handwriting came into view.

It read: [Norah, my friend, when you read these words, please don't grieve for me.

[My life may have appeared glamorous, but it was nothing more than a gilded cage. You were the one who brought me warmth in those last twelve years.

[I'm about to face the end I was always meant for, but I can't accept it. I can't allow that monster and his cronies to remain free, stealing everything that belongs to me.

[So I've prepared one last "gift" for you and for myself.]

My eyes filled with tears.

I kept turning the pages.

The diary chronicled everything that occurred after Catherine became part of the Hamilton family, detailing the changes year by year.

It described how William slowly transformed from a gentle, refined businessman into a heartless monster.

He exploited her background and connections to build his business empire.

Once he succeeded, he began to resent her, cheat on her, and transfer her property behind her back.

The diary meticulously recorded every illegal money transfer, every act of insider trading, and several criminal cases tied to deaths.

Those so-called "accidents" were nothing more than his brutal, bloody methods for eliminating business rivals.

Victor was the most ruthless and vile weapon in his arsenal.

Catherine, being his closest companion, silently collected all the evidence with her meticulous mind.

She converted all the key evidence into digital files and stored it on that small black hard drive.

I kept reading: [This hard drive is military-grade and protected by three layers of encryption.

[The first password is the day we first met.

[The second password is the day I gave you your first birthday gift.

[The third password is the serial number engraved inside this emerald ring.

[Inside the hard drive, you'll find every shred of evidence regarding Mr. Hamilton's crimes and his business empire. Every file and every recording could ruin him beyond redemption.

[But he's too powerful. His connections are entrenched across the country. You can't go directly to the cops with this. That would only put you in the line of fire.]

The final pages of the diary outlined the path she had paved for me.

It read: [I've selected a few targets for you.

[The first is Mr. Hamilton's primary business rival, David Morgan, the CEO of Crestview Group. He's an honest man, but Mr. Hamilton's always suppressed him. David has been seeking proof desperately. Share a copy of the hard drive with him. He knows what to do.

[The second target is Hubert Wallace from Jinsburg. He's my father's closest friend, a man of integrity who possesses connections in both politics and business. His grandson died under suspicious circumstances while investigating Mr. Hamilton.

[Provide him with the evidence, and he'll ensure justice is served for my family and for his grandson.

[I've tucked their contact details between the pages of the diary. These lines are completely secure and one-way.

[Norah, remember, this evidence is like a nuclear bomb. Once triggered, everything will collapse. Avoid using it unless necessary.

[It serves as your shield, but it could easily become your downfall.

[You must strengthen yourself to endure the storm it will provoke.

[Learn, evolve, master your resources, and forge your own power.

[When you've gained enough strength, decide how to approach this battle and win it, for both of us.]

I closed the diary, unable to calm down for quite some time.

This diary was more than a guide to the evidence. It represented Catherine's final testament, her last directives, and the trust she placed in me.

Lastly, I picked up the black external hard drive.

It felt weightless, yet it bore an immense heaviness in my grip.

Inside lay the dark offenses of a business empire, the ruthless ambition and hidden secrets of a man.

It also contained my only opportunity for revenge.

I placed the diary and the hard drive back in the safe, locking it securely.

I took out the emerald ring, threaded it onto a necklace, and wore it close to my heart.

I needed to feel its presence against my skin at all times.

To remind myself of who I was.

To remind myself of what must be done.

To remind myself of the vengeance that burned within.

Once everything was in order, I stepped out of the study.

Again, I stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

This time, no trace of confusion or fear lingered in my eyes.

Only a cold, steely calm remained with a fierce, burning determination.

Catherine paved the way for me.

Now, it was my turn to complete the journey.

I took out the brand-new phone John had given me.

Upon turning it on, I noticed an unread message from him, from three hours earlier.

It read: [Ms. Carter, everything is prepared. Your team will meet you at 9 a.m. tomorrow. Hope you're ready.]

I stared out at the city lights.

In only one night, this city no longer felt foreign to me.

I replied with a single word: [Anytime.]