Chapter 12 - The Portrait in the HallOne evening, Elena discovered an old portrait hidden behind a tapestry.
It was Isabelle.
Young.
Beautiful.
Smiling.
Elena stood before it for a long time.
Victor entered quietly.
"She used to laugh like that," he said.
Elena smiled.
"I barely remember."
Victor looked at the portrait.
"Then we should make sure you remember everything."
Together, they restored the family gallery.
But Elena refused to place her mother's portrait above everyone else.
She placed it beside the photographs of the ordinary women who had worked for the Laurent family.
Victor looked surprised.
"Why?"
Elena answered:
"Because a family isn't defined by the people sitting at the head table."
May you like
She touched the frame.
"It's defined by the people who kept the house standing."
Related Stories
Chapter 13 - The ApologyVanessa eventually asked to see Elena.
Chapter 14 - The FoundationMonths passed.
Chapter 15 - The Empty ChairOne year after the ballroom incident, Elena returned to the same gala.
Chapter 16 - The Last SecretThat night, Elena found an envelope waiting in her study.
Chapter 17 - The SearchElena began searching.
Chapter 18 - A New BeginningMeanwhile, the Laurent family changed.
