CHAPTER FOUR: UNCOVERING SECRETS

"Can I sit?" he asked, his voice surprisingly gentle.

She nodded, watching as he took a seat across from her. "What do you want, Damian?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I wanted to apologize. For what I said about Sofia. I was angry, and I took it out on you."

Elena looked at him, surprised by the admission. "Why are you telling me this now?"

"Because i realized i have been mean to you Elena. You don't deserve any of this. you're just a victim in all these."

"Uhmmm" I replied, doubting if he was genuine about the apology.

"I need to ask you for a favor," Damian said, his voice unexpectedly soft.

Elena looked up from her book, suspicion clouding her eyes. "What kind of favor?"

"There are some documents I need from your parents' house. They're important for a business deal," Damian explained, stepping into the room. "I need you to get them for me."

Elena frowned, closing her book with a snap. "And why can't you get them yourself?"

"You know your parents wouldn't hand them over to me," Damian said, a trace of frustration in his tone. "But they would to you."

She shook her head, folding her arms. "I don't want to be involved in your schemes, Damian.''

"This isn't just about me," he said, stepping closer. "It's about Sofia too."

Her expression hardened. "Don't you dare bring Sofia into this."

"She needs the money for her treatment, Elena," Damian pressed, his voice low and insistent. "If this deal falls through, i will send her abroad to better treatment.."

Elena's resolve wavered, her love for her sister battling her distrust of Damian. "What documents do you need?"

"A folder labeled 'Cruz-Montoya Agreement,'" Damian replied. "It should be in your father's office."

She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Fine. I'll do it. But only for Sofia."

"Thank you," Damian said, a hint of relief in his voice. "This means a lot."

---

Later that evening, Elena arrived at her parents' house. The familiar surroundings brought a bittersweet feeling; this had once been her home, a place of safety and love. Now, it felt foreign, a reminder of the distance between her and her family.

"Elena, dear! What a surprise!" her mother, Maria, exclaimed, pulling her into a warm hug.

"Hi, Mom," Elena said, forcing a smile. "I needed to pick up something from my room."

"Of course, go right ahead," Maria said, her eyes crinkling with a smile. "Stay for dinner if you can."

"I'll try," Elena replied, making her way to her father's study.

As she entered the office, the familiar scent of leather and old books surrounded her. She moved quickly, knowing she didn't have much time. She began searching through the files on her father's desk, her hands trembling slightly.

"Cruz-Montoya Agreement," she murmured, spotting the folder Damian had mentioned. She reached for it, but her eyes caught another file, tucked away in a drawer slightly ajar. It was labeled "Orphanage Records."

Curiosity piqued, Elena hesitated before pulling out the file. She flipped it open, her eyes scanning the documents. Her heart pounded as she saw her parents' names listed as the founders of an orphanage. She had no idea they were involved in something like this.

She continued flipping through the pages, seeing various children's names, pictures, and information. Her breath caught as she saw a childhood picture of a little girl. The face seemed strangely familiar, yet she couldn't place it.

"What is this?" she whispered, her mind racing.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps approaching the office. Panic surged through her. She quickly shoved the orphanage file back into the drawer and grabbed the Cruz-Montoya folder. She had to act normal, as if nothing had happened.

"Elena?" her father's voice called from outside the door. "Are you in here?"

"Yes, Dad," she said, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I thought you were in here."

Eduardo entered the room, his eyes lighting up when he saw her. "It's good to see you, sweetheart. We've missed you."

"I've missed you too, Dad," Elena said, her voice barely steady. "I need to get back, but I wanted to say goodbye."

"Of course," Eduardo said, giving her a hug. "Take care, and give Sofia our love."

"I will," she replied, hugging him tightly. She needed to get out of there before she lost her composure.

---

Elena returned to Damian's house, her mind in a state of dilemma. She handed him the folder without a word, her face pale and drawn.

"Did you find it?" Damian asked, taking the folder from her.

"Yes," she said, her voice distant.

"Thank you," he said, but his eyes narrowed as he noticed her expression. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she lied, turning away. "I'm tired. I need to rest."

"Elena," he said, his voice softening. "If something's bothering you, you can tell me."

She looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of anger and confusion. "I don't need your sympathy, Damian."

"It's not sympathy," he said quietly. "Just... concern."

She laughed bitterly. "Concern? From you? That's a joke."

"Elena," he began, but she cut him off.

"Just leave me alone," she said, walking away. "I can't deal with this right now."

She retreated to her room, closing the door behind her. She sank onto the bed, her mind replaying the discovery she had made. An orphanage. Her parents had been hiding this from her. Why? And who was the girl in the photo?

Tears filled her eyes as she thought of Sofia, the sister she loved so much. Why did hee parent keep such information away from her? Was Sofia adopted? Was she adopted? The questions swirled in her mind, each one more painful than the last.

Elena lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. She felt like her world was falling apart, piece by piece. How could she trust anyone now? Her parents, who had kept this secret from her? Damian, who had manipulated her into this marriage?

She wiped her tears away, taking deep breaths. She needed to be strong, for Sofia's sake. She couldn't let this break her. Not now.

As she lay there, a new resolve began to form within her. She would find out the truth about her past. She would confront her parents, demand answers. And she would make Damian pay for his part in this mess.

Elena closed her eyes, exhaustion finally taking over. She would deal with it all tomorrow. Tonight, she needed to rest. To gather her strength for the battles ahead.

---

The next morning, Elena woke with a heavy heart but a clear mind. She needed to talk to her parents, to get answers. But first, she had to face Damian. She found him in the kitchen, sipping his coffee and reading the morning paper.

"Damian," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

He looked up, surprised. "Elena. Feeling better?"

She nodded, taking a deep breath. "I need to talk to you about something."

"Go ahead," he said, setting his coffee aside.

"I found something yesterday, in my father's office," she began, watching his reaction closely. "Something about an orphanage."

Damian's eyes widened slightly, but he said nothing, waiting for her to continue.

"Why didn't you tell me my parents had an orphanage?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Did you know?"

Damian sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yes, I knew."

"And you didn't think it was important to tell me?" Elena's voice rose with anger.

"It wasn't my place," he said quietly. "There's a lot you don't know about and You shouldn't get involved. It's messier than you think."

"Well, it's too late for that," she said, her voice breaking. "I deserve to know the truth about my own life."

"I know," Damian said, his eyes filled with regret. "I'm sorry, Elena."

"Sorry isn't enough," she said, her voice hardening. "Not for this."

"I understand," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "But please, let me help you. Let me make this right."

"How?" she demanded, her anger flaring. "How can you possibly make this right?"

"By being honest with you," he said, stepping closer. "By telling you everything I know. And by standing by you, no matter what."

Elena stared at him, her anger warring with the desire to believe him. Could she trust him? Could he really help her find the truth?

"I don't know if I can trust you," she said finally, her voice shaking.

"Then let me prove it to you," Damian replied, his eyes pleading. "Let me help you find the answers you're looking for."

She took a deep breath, considering his words. She needed answers, and Damian seemed to be the only one who could give them to her. Maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to trust him. At least for now.

"Fine," she said, her voice steady. "But if you lie to me again, Damian, I swear I'll never forgive you."