Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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Krob didn't linger much. He said that he needs to tend to some plants in the garden and he blended with the shadows, leaving me and Aldus behind.

I had a feeling that gardening was an excuse and I wondered if Aldus sent a mental message to Krob to leave because we were chatting instead of working.

For most of the afternoon, Aldus was introducing me to the official products of the Notte Pharmaceuticals while explaining how they differ from what he is creating with alchemic ways.

I was familiar with most of the original formulas, and that made it easy to understand what Notte Pharmaceuticals is making and how it became a staple in the world of medicine and beauty products. No wonder Aldus is filthy rich. Notte Pharmaceuticals has also products that are in the category of electronic equipment used in laboratories, but those facilities are in Germany.

Aldus took me to the production lab on the upper level where various machines were working autonomously under the supervision of a few people who nodded timidly at Aldus and didn't dare to look at me. Aldus explained those are human engineers who are working in shifts 24-7 to ensure that production doesn't halt.

Next, we went to a massive room with numerous working stations enclosed with glass on three sides. Vials, refrigerators, microscopes, centrifugal machines, tubes, equipment for handling liquids and performing fine measurements… it was all there.

"On a workday, this area is where chemists test random samples that came out of the production area and they also come up with new products…", Aldus was explaining as he gave me a tour.

We passed by several security guards and I observed that most of the doors require a card key to be opened.

We ended up in Aldus's office on the top floor.

"The security in the building consists of humans.", Aldus explained as we sat on a comfy sofa. "The locks and card keys will work against human spies. Fynn and his guys ensure that other creatures don't enter the perimeter."

Aldus checked the time. "It's close to dinner but before we head out, I wanted you to know that I introduced you to all this because it will come in handy when you meet executives in London. Other than telling you about our products, and showing you facilities, I will share personal files of the people you will meet. Knowledge brings confidence, and the first impression is important. I don't want to introduce you as my pretty daughter. I want them to see you as a beautiful, smart, and capable young woman."

To say that his words moved me was an understatement. My chest tightened and expanded at the same time with all the gratitude I felt toward Aldus, and it took me a minute to recover.

"Uhm… thank you…", I stuttered.

I wanted to hug him, but his expression turned solemn, and I realized he was switching topics faster than I could follow.

"While we are talking about being prepared for London…", he paused, and I could see that he was mentally picking words. It made me nervous.

"This is about your parents…" After a slight hesitation, Aldus shared his thoughts about how they might not be my real parents. He was worried that I will be hurt by that information. He really cares about my feelings.

"I suspected something like that."

I could see a relief in his expression when he asked, "You did?"

"I always wondered what I did wrong that my parents didn't like me. My home never felt like home and I questioned if I'm broken somehow because I didn't fit anywhere." Well almost anywhere, there was one boy who made me feel welcome. Duke.

"Ever since I remembered my last night as a mortal, I see my past in another light. If I was a dormant shifter, someone strong enough to harm a grown werewolf with ease…" I didn't know how to finish this thought. "I suspect that my so-called parents kept a lot of things from me."

"I am sorry, Serina."

"Don't be." I meant it. I was not sad or angry; I was relieved because if they are not my parents, many things would fall into place. And there was also another point… "Now I can imagine that I was kidnapped as a baby and that my real parents loved me and that these fake parents forced me to stay low key in order not to be found."

Aldus made a thoughtful expression. "That is a possibility. But it doesn't explain how your grandmother, Amelia fits into that story. Assuming that she was your grandmother, she should know that your mother was pregnant, and it would not be easy to deceive her with another baby. Considering how cautious Amelia was, I would expect her to do a DNA test and confirm you are of her lineage. On the other side, if she was not your grandmother and was part of the scheme to keep you away from your real family, why did she leave you the money? There is more to that story."

That was a lot of ifs related to a dead woman and a middle-aged couple I didn't want to see again.

Part of me was itching to find out the truth, and part of me whispered how knowing what happened won't change who I am and where I am going so maybe it doesn't matter and I should drop it. They will die in a few decades, and I will remain, and none of this will be important.

I discovered myself as Seraphina Mezzanotte and I didn't want to think about the bad things that happened to Sanya Bogdan. It's not that I was beaten, but the emotional burden of being unwanted weighed heavily on me, turning me into a timid girl who would do anything to blend with the background because whenever someone noticed me, they would treat me like trash. It was easier when people ignored me, and it would be best if I disregard my curiosity because nothing good would come from reliving those feelings.

"It doesn't matter. Amelia is dead, and if my parents are fake, after two decades of lies, they will not admit it." I saw that Aldus's lips lifted into a smile and I guessed, "You have a plan."

"I sent my people to collect DNA samples. With that, we can confirm if they are your real parents or not, and act accordingly. Your parents are a private couple and since your disappearance, they are barely leaving the house, so it will take time, but my men will find an opportunity to get a sample. Unfortunately, your grandmother was cremated, so we can't get a sample from her, otherwise, I would get someone to dig her out."

Digging out a grave. That sounds like something that Aldus would do without blinking.

My grandmother couldn't give us any answers, but there were others… "What about my grandfather? Or my paternal grandparents?"

I remember my 'father' telling me that his parents passed away before I was born, but I was curious if Aldus found something about them.

"Based on the information received, your father was adopted and there is nothing about his birth parents. He was left on the doorstep of an orphanage as an infant."

"Oh…" I was not sure if that was sad or convenient. There was a possibility that my whole life was a lie and only after dying I started figuring out the truth. How ironic.

I did my best to focus on what Aldus was saying.

"Your maternal grandfather is a mystery. Amelia was a lady well-known in the upper circle of London. There is information that she was a widow, and I found a lot about her investments and assets, but none about your grandfather. At this point, I'm assuming that Amelia was responsible for amassing her fortune and that your grandfather passed before she made a name for herself and that is why there is no information on him."

It all sounded suspicious. "But there should be an obituary or a marriage certificate."

"There should be.", Aldus confirmed, and the finality in his tone confirmed that there are none. "We could be looking at the scenario where Amelia's status as a widow was fake and that she never married."

"More mysteries." I sighed.

"It will take time to gather information because we need to act with caution and not alert anyone.", Aldus said, and I had a feeling that this was the point he was getting at from the beginning. "Those three girls set you up. Maybe it was a joke that escalated but hiring a werewolf to do a job costs a lot of money. Whoever paid him has deep pockets. Your parents didn't alarm the police that you didn't return. It could be that they kept quiet so that they can continue collecting money from your trust fund, or…"

"They might be the ones behind the attack on me.", I finished his sentence.

Aldus shrugged, indicating that he is not sure. "Regardless of what it is, you can't go to London and announce that Sanya is back. Not until we figure out with whom we are dealing here."

"I didn't plan to confront my parents. My main purpose of going is to see some places and verify that my dreams are memories…", my voice trailed away.

"What about Duke?", Aldus asked.

My lips lifted into a smile. "I would like to see him. But I don't know his name, so it will be difficult."

"You must have a plan.", Aldus continued probing.

"I drew him from my memory. I can assume that he didn't change much in three-four years since I saw him the last time. I thought of going to local coffee shops and ask if anyone recognizes him. When I find out his name, I can look him up online and go from there. There is no need for me to leave a name behind, and if they insist, I will make up something."

Aldus approved.

"Alright, it's time for dinner. We should go." Aldus stood up and paused. "Serina, if you want to stay longer and ensure that kids are comfortable, you can. Zoe's room has two beds, and she has no roommates, or you can come here and sleep on the sofa." He gestured toward the sofa he was sitting on until a minute ago. "I will keep busy in the lab, don't worry about me."

"Thank you…" This time I gave him a hug. He really thinks about what I want.

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