Chapter 8 - Episode 9 Bloodlines and lies

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📖 Episode 9 – Bloodlines & Lies

OWNED BY A COLD HEART

🔞 Drama | Romance | Secrets | Power

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🌫️ Morning Fog – Voss Estate Grounds

The gardens were unusually misty that morning. Vanessa Voss stood by the greenhouse, her pearl earrings glinting in the low light as she watched Damian train with his private sparring coach—sharp movements, controlled power, no wasted breath.

He was more brutal than graceful.

And yet, every time his fist landed clean, Vanessa didn't see a fighter.

She saw a man trying not to feel.

She spoke finally, her voice like silk on stone. "She's very… composed, that girl."

Damian didn't pause. "The waitress?"

Vanessa's smile deepened. "Is that all she is to you?"

He stopped.

Turned.

And asked coldly, "What do you know?"

Vanessa walked forward slowly. "I know that when you looked at her, something shifted. And I know Celeste saw it too."

"She caused a scene."

"She caused a crack."

Damian exhaled. "She's not part of this."

"Then find out who she really is," Vanessa murmured. "Before someone else does."

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🏠 Jayda's Apartment – Afternoon

Liana sat on Jayda's worn-out couch, knees tucked under her, phone buzzing every five minutes.

"I can't go back to the café," she said. "Not with this mess online. Not with him knowing who I am."

Jayda handed her a bowl of cereal. "You didn't do anything wrong. And honestly? People are loving you. You're a mystery now."

"I don't want to be a mystery."

"Well, tough. Because that billionaire man looked at you like you held the last page of his book."

Liana looked down. "He saw me. Like… really saw me. It terrified me."

Jayda paused. "And the other one—Celeste? She looked like she saw a ghost."

"I think…" Liana's voice cracked. "I think she knows something. I think they all know something I don't."

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📁 Meanwhile – Easton Estate Library

Celeste rifled through old files in a locked drawer.

Photos. Letters. Hospital forms. One envelope marked "CONFIDENTIAL – Adoption File: March 12th."

Her hands shook.

She opened it.

Inside, a photo of a baby—dark eyes, wrapped in a faded blanket with a gold chain barely visible.

Her mother's handwriting on the edge:

> "We had no choice. Forgive me."

And below that, a name written faintly.

Not hers.

Liana.

Celeste's breath caught.

The girl who looked like her.

The girl who wasn't just a waitress.

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📞 Unknown Caller – Damian's Office

His phone rang.

"Speak."

A voice replied, "The girl's name is Liana Cole. No known family. Orphaned. Raised in foster homes. Current job: part-time at a local café. No criminal record. Clean… too clean."

Damian's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"She was adopted. But the file was sealed. That doesn't happen unless there's something—or someone—powerful involved."

Silence stretched.

Then Damian whispered, "Run the DNA. Quietly."

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🌙 Nightfall – Easton Balcony

Celeste sat with the photo of baby Liana in her hands.

Isobel joined her silently.

"You lied to me," Celeste said.

Her mother said nothing.

"You knew about her."

Finally, Isobel replied, "Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

Isobel's eyes were unreadable. "Because you both were never meant to meet. One girl was raised in silk. The other was left behind."

Celeste stood, angry. "She's my sister, isn't she?"

Isobel's voice was a whisper. "Half. The result of a mistake your father tried to bury."

Celeste's world cracked.

"She doesn't know."

"Not yet."

Celeste looked out over the city lights. "She will."

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💥 Final Scene – Outside the Café (Late Night)

Liana stepped outside for air, wrapping her coat tighter.

The air was cold—but not as cold as the voice behind her.

"I wouldn't stay in the dark if I were you."

She turned.

Damian Voss stood in the shadows, hands in his pockets, eyes like a storm waiting to break.

"What are you doing here?" she breathed.

He stepped forward.

"Finding out what you're hiding."

She swallowed. "I'm not hiding anything."

His eyes locked on hers. "Then why does your name show up in the Easton archives?"

Silence.

Liana's heart thundered.

And then…

He took a step closer.

Too close.

"I think you're more than a waitress, Liana Cole."

And for the first time—

She didn't deny it.

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📖✨ To Be Continued…

#Episode9

#SistersAndSecrets

#ColdHeartWarmTwist

#LianaAndDamian

#CelesteKnows

#OwnedByAColdHeart

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