Prologue

She stared out the window of her luxurious flat. Her view of London was second to none. After decades of traveling she had decided to settle down here. London was by far her favorite city. It reminded her of her time with him. Before he chose the drama of family. She was no longer willing to play second fiddle to the chase. If he wasn't willing to put their relationship first, she had to walk away. She had to choose herself If he wouldn't choose her.

She felt unsettled. Like something wasn't right. She had always had an intuition. An almost third eye. Even after she became a vampire, she never lost that connection.

"Excuse me, Ma'am." She startled. She had hired a butler of sorts. She paid him handsomely, he ran her house, which was in his name to block other vampires from entering. He knew her secrets. He allowed her to compel him to tell no one before he began consuming vervain. Truth be told, he was almost a father figure to her. He offered her guidance and advice. She never fed from him but once, because she had been injured. Otherwise she consumed blood bags. She avoided hurting the innocent. She occasionally fed on miscreants that deserved punishment but she very rarely killed. "I apologize madam for scaring you."

"Nonsense Arthur. What is it?"

"News has traveled. Another Petrova Doppelgänger lives." Her eyes went wide.

"So the information was correct. Katerina had a child. Where is this doppelgänger?"

"She and her brother reside in Mystic Falls with their Aunt. Their parents perished in an accident. Somehow the Doppelgänger survives. The car went over a bridge. The parents drown yet the girl was found on the side of the road. She was wet and obviously in the water at one point . The police were unsure how the miracle happened."

"Hmm. When did the accident occur?"

"It was close to your mother's anniversary. You had already left Virginia."

"I suspect Arthur that this was no miracle. Please pack some bags for me as I make travel arrangements."

"You're going to Mystic Falls? I thought the goal was to avoid him and any Doppelgänger?" He watched curiously as she crossed the room to pick up her cell phone.

"Unfortunately Arthur that is no longer possible. You see, once upon a time my dear brothers were torn apart by a vicious and selfish woman. She fractured my family. Katerina went by the name of Katherine Pierce. She found her way to Virginia. Settled in Mystic Falls. Wormed her way into my home, into my brothers hearts and beds. It's because of that wretched woman that the three of us are what we are. According to Damon- the witch Emily had sealed all of the vampires of Mystic Falls under a church. My poor Damon has carried a torch for her for over a century. It is what caused us to part ways. Stefan relocated to Mystic Falls again. Ahead of schedule. He usually waits longer to return. I suspect that he was the miracle that saved the Doppelgänger and then he moved home to be with her or at the very least near her. He left all of that out in our conversation but I know my siblings. I've spent over 100 years trying to reunite them. I feel that the Doppelgänger has done what I have not been able to do. My sources tell me Damon is also in Mystic Falls. So Katerina 2.0 has drawn them together and will most definitely tear them apart. You see, I recently found out that Katerina was never actually under that church. The leech found a way to get out and live her life all the while he thought she was dead. My brother wasted his life waiting for her. I haven't heard from him, which means he is in turmoil. I must go home to try and get them to make peace and finally reunite our family. If that means I see him. Then so be it. I only avoid him to save my own heart. But my love for my brother's is much stronger than that."

"Very well Ms. Salvatore. I will pack your bags and prepare the house for your departure. Should I expect you need me to accompany you?" She smiled at him warmly and walked over to him and took his hands.

"No. I love Damon but he can be treacherous. He would kill you to hurt me. Plus with what will be coming to Mystic Falls you wouldn't be safe. Please go visit your sister and her children. I know she misses you."

"Samantha- promise me you will take care of yourself. Protect yourself. Do not put their lives above your own. You are the daughter Dara and I never could have. She would have loved you." It was rare he called her by her first name. She squeezed his hands.

"You will see me again. I won't have to protect myself. If he shows up, he will. Whether I want him to or not. But I promise to come home." She hugged him tightly. When he pulled away she saw his professional demeanor return.

"Very well. Let me know when your flight is so I can call a car" then with a nod he was gone. She traveled back to the window. She quickly typed out a text and then went over to her desk to open her lap top. It was time to go home.