Chapter 26

Chapter 26

As I stared at the birth certificate I found in Troy's cabinet, I could feel my hands growing cold. I couldn't be mistaken—I had seen the name Troy Carter when I visited the house of a fake birth certificate maker, and it was Regine who had accompanied me there. I only stopped staring at it when I heard the door open outside. Quickly, I arranged the things I had taken from Troy's cabinet, moving with urgency to hide the envelopes and ensuring that nothing appeared out of place so Troy wouldn't notice someone had been rummaging through his things.

I then headed straight to the bathroom, and just as I entered, Troy came into the room. I quickly turned on the shower so he'd know someone was in the bathroom. Closing my eyes, I exhaled deeply in relief—I had almost been caught! To avoid raising suspicion, I undressed and stepped into the shower, but I couldn't stop my mind from racing. How could Troy's birth certificate have the name Troy Carter? I clearly remember seeing that name at Justin's house. I couldn't be wrong.

After my shower, I put on a robe and noticed that Troy wasn't in the room anymore, so I went out and saw him setting the table for dinner. He smiled at me, and I couldn't help but feel a wave of doubt wash over me.

"I heard the shower, so I knew you were there," he said as he approached me. "I prepared our dinner while you were showering." My heart raced as he pulled me close and kissed me on the lips. Normally, I would crave his kisses, but my mind was so clouded that I didn't know how to react. Sensing my hesitation, he turned to look at me, but I quickly looked away.

"Have you been home long?" I asked casually as I gently pulled away from his embrace. I walked over to the dining table and glanced at the meal he had prepared—chicken caesar salad.

"I got home a few minutes ago," he replied, sitting down at the table. I took a seat across from him.

"I heard the shop closed early. Where did you go after work?" he asked cautiously as I started eating.

"Bookstore. I read some... books," I said, avoiding eye contact. It wasn't a lie—it was the truth, though I had no intention of telling him why I went there.

"I didn't know you liked books," he observed.

"Not really. I was just killing time," I replied. After that, a heavy silence settled between us. He seemed to have run out of things to say or ask. I could tell he sensed my coldness, especially after everything that had happened between us when he thought things were fine.

"Do... we have a problem?" he asked hesitantly. I paused and looked at him. He was staring at me, waiting for an answer. What should I say? Why does he have to be so mysterious? Why am I so confused by his entire personality? First, there was the woman he was supposed to marry—the one in the prophecy, the one his councils wanted for him. How could a commoner like him be in such a situation? And now, I have this growing doubt about him. Why is he named Troy Carter when I saw that name at Justin's house—the man who creates fake birth certificates?

None of this makes any sense!

"Maybe I'm just tired," I said, returning to my meal. I knew he was watching my every move, so when we were in the bedroom, I quickly lay down, pretending to sleep. Troy headed to the bathroom for a quick shower.

But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fall asleep. My mind was racing with questions, all centered around Troy.

I was still awake when Troy finished his shower. I pretended to be asleep when I felt him climb into bed behind me. His warm arm wrapped around my waist, and despite all my doubts about him, I couldn't deny the comfort his warmth brought me.

I felt him kiss the side of my head and wrap his arms around me from behind. His kiss made me emotional. Can I just set aside all my questions and let him into my life?

I can’t deny that he’s slowly becoming an important part of my life, and I’m afraid that discovering the truth might change how I see him. I'm scared that once I uncover who he really is, I might lose him too.

The next day, Troy and I went to the site together again. When I had a chance to leave work early, I took it, and the manager understood and let me go. I retraced my steps to find Justin’s house based on my memory. When I finally found it, I went to the door and rang the bell three times. To my surprise, it was Regine who opened the door.

"Whoa! It’s you again!" Regine exclaimed, clearly surprised to see me. I blinked, noticing she was wearing a school uniform. She must have come straight to Justin's place after school.

"It’s nice to see you again, Regine," I said with a smile.

"Come in! Come in!" she said excitedly, holding the door wide open.

"Who's that, Regine?" Justin asked as he appeared, looking like he had just come from the bathroom. He stared at me, trying to place my face.

"Can't you remember her? She was with me the last time I came to get a birth certificate! It’s Eli!" Regine explained. Justin nodded, though I could tell he didn’t really remember me. He must have so many customers that I was just another face.

"Sit down! What would you like—juice, coffee, or tea?" Regine offered eagerly, one question after another. I was about to answer when Justin cut in.

"Hey! We're out of juice, coffee, and tea!" Justin said, nudging Regine with his elbow. Regine looked at him with a bit of irritation.

"Don't worry, I'll just take water," I said before the two could start bickering. Regine smiled at me and headed to the kitchen to get the water. Justin sat down across from me.

"May I ask why you visited?" Justin asked, trying to gauge my request.

"Can I... check some identity files you've created for past customers?" I asked. He looked taken aback by my question. Regine returned, placing a glass of water on the table between us.

"I'm sorry, Eli. That's against my rules. If I did that, I'd be putting my customers at risk. You know this is illegal, right?" Justin said, giving me the answer I expected. I knew in this line of work, it was nearly impossible to just hand over files or information to someone else.

"Why? Whose identity are you trying to look up?" Regine asked.

"Troy Carter," I replied. Both of them froze.

"That name... sounds familiar," Justin said thoughtfully. Regine seemed deep in thought too, as if trying to recall where she had heard that name before.

"Are you sure Troy Carter came here? Or are you certain Troy Carter is a fake identity? Because if so, it’s possible he's in my files—”

“Shit!” Regine suddenly exclaimed, startling us. I frowned and looked at Regine.

"I remember him now!" Regine said excitedly, turning to Justin. "Do you remember when those two tall guys came into your house?! I was even on the table you were kissing me—”

"Regine! That’s too much information!" Justin interrupted her. I would have laughed if I wasn't so tense about the information Regine had said.

"And then? What happened? Who were those two men?" I asked urgently.

"What I remember is that both men were handsome and tall. I'll never forget one of them because his eyes were a different color! It was green! He had blonde hair too! Very striking, like a character straight out of a novel, and he’s been hanging around with Tyreese!" Regine described.

My hand went cold. Her description matched Troy and John, especially Troy!

"Then... the blonde-haired one came up to us. He asked if Justin could make a fake birth certificate. And of course, Justin did it. They paid a lot of money! Justin’s fridge was almost overflowing with the cash they gave him!"

"Did you ask for their names?" I asked, feeling a surge of nerves.

"I think... one of them was named Troy, right?" Justin replied. I took a sip of water, trying to process what I'd just heard. My mind was spinning with confusion.

After that, I quietly said goodbye to Regine and Justin. Who are you, Troy? Does this mean we're alike, both hiding our true identities? I’m hiding mine because I fled the Urzua Kingdom—because I’m a princess! But... what about him? Why does he have a fake identity? Why is he... Troy Carter?

As I walked out of the village, I was startled by the sight of three men standing under a large tree, as if waiting for someone. I stared at them, my heart pounding when I recognized their faces.

What the hell? They’re my brother’s men! Why are they here?!

My wolf instinctively sensed them. I knew I had to act fast, so before they could detect my presence, I quickly ran away. It’s too dangerous. If they catch even a hint of my wolf's presence, they’ll know exactly where I am. I need to put as much distance between us as possible!

This is why the book I read was so wrong about hiding identities because it’s impossible for wolves to hide from their own kind. The moment we encounter another wolf, we sense each other immediately. But the bigger question is, why are they here? Has what I feared finally happened?

My brother has begun his search to find me!