Inheritance Redefined

Chapter Twenty-Four

The heavy oak doors of the Drakos estate groaned open, echoing through the marble-clad foyer. Golden light spilled in through the arched windows as Dionysios Drakos and his son, Leonidas Drakos, stepped inside–both still shaking off the chill of an unexpected summons.

Thalia Drakos stood at the base of the staircase, poised and regal, her silk blouse a deep shade of plum, her silver hair swept into a low twist. Her expression was unreadable—but the tension behind her eyes was sharp as a blade.

"Mother," Leonidas said cautiously, setting his coat over the bannister. "You sounded urgent."

"We need to talk," Thalia said, her voice calm but unwavering. "Now. In the study.”

They exchanged a glance–father and son–but followed without protest.

Inside the private study, Thalia closed the doors behind them. No guards. No servants. Just blood.

She walked to the desk and laid a worn leather-bound journal on the polished surface.

"I debated whether or not to tell you," she began slowly. "But after what I’ve discovered… you both deserve the truth. Especially you, Leo"

Leonidas folded his arms. "Truth about what?"

Thalia looked up. "You have a daughter."

The silence was immediate. Heavy. Disbelieving.

Leonidas stared at her like she had lost her mind. "I beg your pardon?"

Dionysios blinked. "What do you mean, a daughter?"

Thalia inhaled deeply. "She's Orion's twin sister."

Leonidas scoffed. "That's not possible. Verena gave birth to only Orion. One child."

Thalia tapped the journal. "That's not quite true."

She opened it carefully to a weathered page, marked by an old silk ribbon. Her fingers hesitated at the edge before she began reading aloud.

February 14th.

I can't sleep. The nightmares keep returning. About her. The woman from England. The girl with the pale hair and the freckles. I can still hear her crying when I took the boy… when I told her it was either the son or the streets.

Nidas was furious when he found out about my affair. He left me–went to England to escape me. I thought I'd lost everything. But then… I found out he impregnated another woman.

I tracked her down. I watched her house from the backseat of a tinted car for days before I dared to confront her. She looked soft. Foolish. When I told her I was his wife and that she would never be allowed near him or the Drakos name, she cried like a child.

I told her I would raise the boy. That it was best for him. That it was the only way he'd be safe. I didn't know there were two… not at first.

But when I realized–when I saw the birth certificate months later–it was already too late. She had vanished. The daughter couldn't be claimed. I had to lie.

And I did. For the family. For my place. I told everyone Orion was mine. I pretended I had never read the name in her passport. I told myself one twin was enough. Orion won't realise he has a twin. Everything would be fine.

The room fell still.

Leonidas's face drained of color. His voice, when it came, was hoarse. "Are you saying… Verena stole Orion and claimed him as hers? And there's another child?"

Thalia looked him in the eyes. "She manipulated the woman, Leonidas. She threatened her. And she used your absence in England as cover."

"And the girl?" Dionysios asked, his voice sharp. "Where is she now?"