THE PRICE OF inHERitance

Knock on the Door

The knock echoed through the quiet house, sharp and sudden. Ellie's heart skipped a beat. He and Lizzie exchanged worried glances. Vivian had left earlier, saying she had a business meeting. Now, someone else was at the door.

Lizzie tiptoed to the entrance and peered through the peephole. Her face fell. "It's a delivery person."

Ellie's anxiety heightened. "A delivery at this hour? What could it be?"

Lizzie opened the door cautiously, and a delivery person in a dark uniform handed over a large, sealed envelope. Lizzie signed for it, trying to mask her unease. The delivery person left as quickly as they had arrived.

"What's in the envelope?" Ellie asked, his curiosity piqued.

Lizzie opened it carefully, revealing a stack of documents and a small, ornate box. She pulled out the top document and scanned it. Her eyes widened.

"It's an appointment schedule. For a procedure," she said, handing it to Ellie.

Ellie's stomach knotted. "A procedure? What kind of procedure?"

Lizzie shuffled through the papers. "It doesn't say directly, but there's a lot of medical jargon. And look at this." She pulled out the ornate box. Inside was a beautifully crafted locket, inscribed with a delicate symbol that Ellie didn't recognize.

Ellie examined the locket, feeling a chill run down his spine. "What's this?"

Lizzie took the locket and opened it, revealing a tiny compartment. Inside was a small note with a single phrase written on it: **"The final piece."**

Ellie's heart raced. "The final piece? What does that mean?"

Lizzie looked at him with a mix of fear and determination. "We need to find out. Vivian's been up to something, and I think this is part of it."

---

Later that evening, Ellie and Lizzie huddled together in their room, the locket between them. The air was thick with tension as they tried to make sense of what was happening.

Lizzie picked up her phone and began searching for information about the symbol on the locket. "There's got to be something online about this," she muttered.

Ellie paced the room, his mind racing. "Vivian wouldn't leave anything to chance. She's meticulous. This locket must be crucial to whatever she's planning."

Lizzie looked up from her phone, her face pale. "I found something. The symbol is associated with a secretive organization that deals with advanced medical procedures. It's not just about transformation—it's about enhancement."

Ellie stopped pacing and looked at her, alarmed. "Enhancement? What do you mean?"

Lizzie sighed. "The organization is known for performing experimental procedures that go beyond regular medical practices. It's like they're pushing the boundaries of what's possible."

Ellie's mind whirled. "So this final piece... it's something more than just the physical changes I've already gone through."

Lizzie nodded. "It sounds like it's something that will complete whatever transformation Vivian started. We need to find out exactly what it involves before it's too late."

---

The next day, Ellie and Lizzie decided to confront Vivian about the recent events. They caught her just as she was leaving for another appointment.

"Vivian, we need to talk," Lizzie said, her voice firm.

Vivian raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "About what?"

Ellie stepped forward, holding up the locket. "About this. And about what's happening with me."

Vivian's gaze flicked to the locket, then back to Ellie. "Oh, I see. You've found the final piece."

Ellie's heart sank. "What does it mean? What are you planning?"

Vivian smiled faintly, but her eyes were cold. "All in due time. You'll understand soon enough. For now, just know that everything is proceeding as planned. You've come a long way, Ellie, and the final phase is crucial to completing the transformation."

Before Ellie could respond, Vivian turned and walked away, leaving them with more questions than answers.

---

Back at the house, Ellie and Lizzie were left in a state of heightened anxiety. The uncertainty of the final phase hung over them like a dark cloud.

"What do we do now?" Ellie asked, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

Lizzie took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "We need to prepare for whatever's coming. Find out everything we can about the organization and the procedures. And, most importantly, stay one step ahead of Vivian."

Ellie nodded, determination setting in. "Agreed. We can't let her control everything. We have to take charge of our own fate."

As they worked late into the night, gathering information and making plans, the urgency of their situation grew more apparent. Ellie knew that the final phase was not just a metaphor—it was a reality they had to face.

The final piece was in motion, and the next steps would determine the course of Ellie's life.