I slowly opened my eyes as the sun hit them from a window piece the curtain hadn't covered. Andrew's guest bedroom was the nicest place I'd ever slept in. Besides, that bed was absurdly comfortable... Don't judge me! I had a small one in Ocean Storm, but the mattress was too thin. Also, the pillows were incredibly soft. The light outside was intense, so I'd overslept. My nosy friends were probably wondering where I was. I pushed the blanket away since my clothes were warm enough. I couldn't help but sigh as Miguel woke up. There was nothing better than getting lost in his arms. We smiled at each other for an instant... How could that be so good? Sometimes I felt as if we could talk without saying a word. I'd never had that connection with anyone before... Crazy, right? It was the best feeling in the world.

Gálvez looked deep into my eyes, "I never want to sleep without you again."

"Me neither," my eyes gleamed. "If this is your strategy to escape sleeping in the same room as the kids, it worked."

"They're a great company, but I want to wake up with the woman I love," Miguel kissed my forehead. "You're amazing."

"So are you," my lips curled into a sweet smile. "Last night was incredible."

"Realmente," he took some hair off my face. "I wouldn't mind if we repeated it."

I winked, "What are you waiting for? I'm right here, guapo..."

He chuckled, "Where have you been all my life?"

When we were about to kiss, someone knocked. I gulped, hoping it wasn't an enemy. After putting our shoes, hats, and weapon belts back on, Gálvez and I walked away from the bed. I chewed on my lip, ready to destroy whoever had come to kill me... and spoil my fun, of course. I sighed in relief as Miguel opened the door.

I'm not dying today! Wonderful!

Andrew examined me, "I'm afraid to ask, but why were you two in my guest bedroom?"

Miguel and I looked at each other then back at Knight. Like a rebellious teenager, I bit my cheeks to hold a laugh. The admiral laughed softly as if he'd figured everything out.

"Thank God I slept on a Navy ship last night," Knight sighed. "Your friends were looking for you."

My eyes widened, "Are they here?"

"Come," Andrew analyzed the messy bed. "I'll burn those sheets later."

Maartje and Laurens smiled once we arrived at the living room. Francis ran to me and I hugged him, relieved he was safe. Miguel caressed my dog and got his hands licked. I wondered where the SHA men had gone... Had Knight sent them away? Also, I wrinkled my nose while remembering Juliette. That lady was the only person I hated more than everyone who wanted me dead... Don't judge me! Besides being cruel, that witch made advances to my man.

"You two disappeared!" my cousin breathed fast. "If it weren't for Andrew, we would've never found this house."

Laurens frowned, "Don't scare us again! What happened?"

Miguel and I smiled at each other for a second. Francis barked nonstop as if he'd found out the truth. My master gunner cocked his head to the side, apparently confused. Gálvez and I interlocked fingers, making my heart flutter. Maartje's eyes widened.

I glanced at my man, "We happened."

The Spaniard kissed me on the cheek. Laurens and Maartje cheered. I couldn't believe my friends... Weren't they insanely cute? I was lucky, I know! They hugged Miguel and me tightly, making me gasp. Francis wouldn't stop wagging his tail.

"I can't believe my best friends are together!" Laurens gave Miguel a pat on the back. "It was about damn time!"

Maartje grinned mischievously, "Should we expect a new baby soon?"

I let out a nervous laugh, "If you keep saying these things, I'll seize your loot. Besides, I don't get pregnant that easily."

My cousin shook her head in denial while staring... What? Don't tell me you agree with her! I chuckled, unable to believe Maartje's attitude. She overreacted sometimes.

"Fine!" I rolled my eyes. "Maybe I do!"

Knight peeked through a curtain, seemingly expecting Faria. Although I didn't know Joaquim and Andrew well enough, I had a strong feeling they still liked each other. Besides arguing like a couple, they seemed to have unfinished business.

"I don't mean to interrupt, but we should go," Andrew took a step back. "There's something I must show you."

Why? Tell me why? I had a perfect night, but I was about to get annoyed by more trouble... Come on! Couldn't I have a few more hours of peace? My smile wasn't ready to vanish. I was thrilled and so in love that I could explode... What else would make me crazy? Also, Andrew's situation couldn't get any worse. Poor Knight was blackmailed, the man he loved was mad at him, he was forced to do something he hated... Nothing else could happen.

"You seem uneasy, Admiral Knight," Miguel put his arm around my back as if he wished to protect me. "Is something wrong?"

Andrew sighed and opened the door, "I'm sorry."

My eyes bulged once ten SHA guys entered. Maartje narrowed her eyes at Andrew so intensively that I thought he'd turn into stone. Gálvez cursed in Spanish while Laurens panted. Francis growled, ready to attack. Guess what? We'd been ambushed! The men pointed their pistols at us.

"What's the next joke?" I raised my brows. "Because this isn't funny at all!"

"I knew Juliette would call for her husband's help. She freaks out easily," Andrew let out a cruel laugh. "It was the perfect way to attract you, your man, and your friends here."

I breathed fast... Yes, I'd been betrayed again! Andrew seemed to be another Sven in my life. When I was about to fight, Knight knocked me unconscious with two blows. Slowly, all the voices around me disappeared. I thought of my magical night with Miguel in an attempt to feel better... What? At least I'd die happy! Once everything turned black, I was numb. Although I wanted to, I couldn't move a single bone of my body.

Where am I?

My head hurt insanely once I woke up in a dark-grey room... Was I on a soft bed with the love of my life? Nope! I flinched while trying to escape the rope that tied me to an uncomfortable chair... I know you're sick of seeing me getting kidnapped by the SHA, but what could I do? The bastards always found me! If Andrew only hadn't fooled my family and me... Damn it! I spat on Knight's boots as he arrived.

Andrew huffed, "How polite."

"Aren't you lovely?" I smiled sarcastically. "Perhaps I should've picked you over Miguel!"

"I had no choice," Knight left the room. "Your mom's insane."

Chills spread through my body once I looked at my mother... How would I convince her I wasn't a pretender? I'd lost hope already. Mom examined me, apparently looking for the best place to stab.

My mother wants me dead! How did I get so lucky?

"Juliette told me you're a liar. You'll die with your friends today. If I find Hendrika, she'll be killed too for murdering my baby!" she crossed her arms. "I'm taking Maartje and Laurens with me. Hopefully, I'll find their son."

"Mo... I mean, Carolien, this is insane!" I glanced at the dirty floor. "I'm your daughter and Giacomo is your son. Don't do this."

"Besides raping me, pirates impersonated my children! This is unforgivable," my mom sobbed. "That's why I prefer dating men from navies."

"Really?" I raised my brows. "If Hunter Atkins was so perfect, he wouldn't have let the SHA kill your brother."

She blinked fast, "Excuse me?!"

"Remember that Ocean Storm guy you and Atkins ordered The Englishman to kill?" I pressed my lips together to avoid crying. "That was my uncle Ruben."

My mother swallowed hard, seemingly about to freak out. I sighed after realizing the truth... Mom didn't know. Despite all her flaws, she wasn't crazy enough to murder her twin brother. Uncle Ruben's death wasn't meticulously planned... At least one good thing among that catastrophe.

Mom punched a wall, "You're lying! Stop manipulating me!"

"Uncle Ruben came to Curaçao with Maartje when I was thirteen. He killed my dad, but he also saved me from his mistress Hendrika. Although that witch flogged me for years, she didn't end my life like your RNN guys said," I looked deep into her eyes and some tears flowed. "Thanks to my uncle, I found joy in the pirate world. How would a liar know all that?"

She scowled, "Because, just like Eva's ridiculous father, you're good at deceiving people. You probably got this story from someone else."

"You'll never believe the truth..." I sighed. "Just kill me and get this over with."

"I still need to find the perfect way to end you!" my mom took several deep breaths. "Today is the day I'll honor my..."

Mom was suddenly paralyzed. She wouldn't stop staring at my black vest's strap. I frowned, hoping she wouldn't stab me there... Don't give me that look! It was a painful way to die. My mom slowly approached with a mysterious expression. I breathed so quickly that I thought I'd faint. She pulled my vest strap slightly to the right. My heart nearly stopped.

It's the end.

Closing my eyes, I waited to feel a blade inside my chest... Nothing. Blinking fast, I wondered what had happened. Was my mom drunk? Because her eyes were bulging! She cried and shook her head in denial.

"It's really you," my mother caressed my face. "How could I be such an idiot?"

I raised a brow, "What made you realize that?"

"Eva had a birthmark shaped like a five-point star. It was near her left shoulder," she pointed at my shoulder. "You have the exact same mark."

"You've just made me really happy," my lips curled into a face-wide smile. "I've been waiting to meet you for so long!"

"When I saw your face, something in my heart said you were my daughter. My gut told me Giacomo wasn't a liar either," the tears kept running down her face. "I didn't want to accept it because of my hatred towards pirates."

"Maartje, Laurens, and I aren't evil. Neither is my partner, your son, your twin brother, and my allies," I grimaced while feeling the tight rope. "Don't hate an entire group because of a few idiots."

My mother paced. Gulping, I hoped she wouldn't say I'd forged the birthmark... Don't judge me! Anything was possible. Sweat ran down my neck as she approached with a knife. I squeezed my eyes shut. Mom cut the rope, setting me free. She returned my weapons once I got up. I'd never imagined a vest strap could make a difference. If it wasn't slightly misplaced, she would've never seen the mark.

"I can't believe I almost burned you alive! Whoever rescued you that day has my eternal gratitude," my mom hugged me gently. "I'm destroying the SHA immediately."

"I'll let my handsome savior know," I grinned and sighed in relief. "Thank you!"

"You were right. I can't hate a group because of some bad representatives," my mom's eyes were wet. "I thought your father's friends had told me the truth just because they were from the RNN, but seeing that mark opened my eyes. I love you so much, my sweet Eva..."

When I was about to respond, Atkins opened the door. He bared his teeth. I got in front of my mother, fearing he'd harm her. The admiral pushed me away violently. I grimaced as my body collided against the wall. Mom took a step back while panting.

"Are you insane?! If you set Storm free, the SHA is at risk!" Atkins pursed his lips while holding me by the arm. "She's our main target!"

"I'm done with the SHA. Also, our relationship is over," my mother grabbed a blunderbuss from the floor and pointed it at him. "Release my daughter now, Hunter!"

Atkins squeezed my arm harder, making me flinch. I escaped the admiral's grip, punched him in the face, and kicked him between the legs. He yelled in pain. She suddenly dropped the gun.

"I'll never forgive myself. You, Giacomo, and my granddaughters are better off without me," she approached the door. "I've caused enough damage."

I walked closer to her, "Mom, please..."

"I don't deserve my family after what I did," my mother sobbed and left running. "Goodbye."

The admiral attacked me before I could go after her. I kicked him between the legs again, dodged his blows, and stabbed him in the thigh. Worried about my friends, I left the idiot bleeding in that room. I swallowed hard after hearing the admiral calling his men. Running through the endless hallways, I hoped everyone was still alive in the damn cells. I grabbed my cutlass as three guards approached.

No one will stop me!

Typically, I took longer to defeat multiple men. That day was an exception. After a few blows with my cutlass and some punches, I knocked the three guys unconscious. I sighed in relief once I found Miguel, Maartje, Laurens, Francis, Giacomo, Nuria, and Joaquim. My friends and family recovered their weapons once I set them free.

"Eva! Gracias a Dios..." Miguel hugged me desperately. "I thought I'd lost you!"

I grinned mischievously, "You won't get rid of me that easily."

Shutting my eyes, I kissed Gálvez tenderly on the lips. My man gently pulled my face closer as if he wanted to feel me better. I put my hands around his neck as he passionately kissed me back. Once someone cleared their throat, we pulled away. I felt myself blushing as everybody looked at us... Yeah, I'd completely forgotten about them.

"Hello, sister-in-law!" Nuria's lips curled into a wide smile. "I'm beyond happy for you two!"

"I thought you were just friends," Joaquim chuckled. "What did I miss?"

Miguel put an arm around my back, "Eva and I are together now."

"Congratulations!" Giacomo ground his teeth and pointed behind us. "Shouldn't we celebrate after escaping?"

Those bastards...

My eyes bulged as Atkins approached with countless men. I raised a brow, wondering why Andrew wasn't there... Where had he gone? Was he our ally or opponent? Francis growled, apparently eager to bite the idiots.

"Wait! Mom's no longer our enemy," I knit my brows. "She set me free and ran away. We must find her."

"There's no time!" Laurens glanced at the incoming men. "They'll destroy us!"

Ricci's eyes widened, "We can't leave her! There must be a way..."

My brother was interrupted by countless shots. Luckily, no one was hit. Francis barked nonstop, seemingly scared. My friends and I ran so fast that I couldn't feel my legs. My heart pounded as my mother kept coming back to my mind.

Miguel turned to me, "We'll find your mom again."

I wiped away a tear, "I admire the optimism, my love, but I wouldn't be so sure."

A horrible headache smashed my skull as I thought of my mother... Had Atkins killed her? I'd rip his head off if he'd done that! When we finally made amends... Guess what? Life took her from me! I couldn't stop thinking of her endless tears. Although I was sad she couldn't dismantle the SHA, that was the least of my worries. That day couldn't be the last time we'd see each other... It was too bad to be true! Also, I hoped she hadn't been injured. Despite all her mistakes, my mom didn't deserve to suffer more than she already did. 

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Author's note: Hey! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone is well. Please vote and comment if you enjoyed this chapter and follow the "Battles and Secrets" playlist on Spotify. All translations can be found below. What will happen to Eva's mom? Keep reading and you'll find out... :-)

I dedicate this chapter to my dear friend debrlynn

Foreign words/expressions in order of appearance:

1. Realmente means "indeed" in Spanish