'John?!' Elena exclaimed, her voice a mix of disbelief and shock. 'Is that even possible?'

We stood in the bustling school gym, surrounded by the excited chatter of classmates as they prepared for the Founder's Day parade. The vibrant yellow skirt Elena wore, adorned with intricate embroidery on the bodice, made her resemble Katherine most strikingly.

'There isn't any solid proof,' I replied cautiously, trying to navigate the tense atmosphere. 'But he did date Isobel when she was just a teenager, and he was the one who brought her to your dad's office for the delivery.'

Elena's expression hardened as she shook her head. 'My whole life, I've never liked this man. I...'

'Sorry, I'm really sorry,' I interrupted, a sense of urgency creeping into my voice. 'I just... I wanted to tell you before Damon dropped this news on you in his typical inappropriate way.'

'No, I'm grateful that you told me. I just... I really hope this isn't true. What am I supposed to do? Should I confront him and say, "Are you my biological father?"' Her tone was a mix of desperation and confusion.

'I guess you'll know when you're ready,' I suggested, trying to provide her with some comfort.

'Ready? I'm never going to be ready. Stefan, I have enough issues with the family I actually care about. Jeremy hates me, and honestly, why wouldn't he? My journal gave him every single reason to be upset with me.'

'He's just hurt; he's confused about everything that's happened,' I reassured her gently.

'He will never forgive me for Vicki, for taking away his memories, for lying to him,' she said, her voice trembling with emotion.

'He's your brother; he'll come around. Just give him some time.' I watched as she turned away, lost in her thoughts. 'Did you manage to talk to Bella?'

'No, I haven't seen her since she fainted,' she replied, turning back to me with concern etched on her face. 'Caroline mentioned that she and her grandmother have been helping with Matt.'

'That's good,' I said, relieved. 'At least we know Isobel didn't take her.'

Elena frowned skepticism in her eyes. 'But she might be working with Isobel.'

'I really doubt that,' I countered, hoping to ease her worries.

Elena narrowed her gaze at me, clearly frustrated. 'Why do you doubt it?'

'And why do you suspect it?' I challenged gently.

Elena bristled at my question, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. 'All this... chaos seems to occur when she shows up!'

'You mean like her parents dying?' I pointed out, trying to get her to understand how crazy she sounded.

She turned away again, her arms still folded protectively. 'I'm just saying it's a little too coincidental.'

'Maybe you were meant to be in each other's lives for a reason,' I suggested quietly.

Elena turned back to me, her expression resolute. 'I don't want her in my life.'

The weight of her words struck me unexpectedly, leaving an ache in my chest. Still, I nodded in understanding. 'OK, I get it.'

I finally convinced Isobel to share her number with me and promised to contact her immediately. The excitement bubbled inside me at the thought of texting her immediately, but that was interrupted when Caroline sent me a frantic message saying that Matt had broken his arm.

I quickly called Gran, and soon enough, she arrived to pick me up from the little grill where I'd been hanging out. We went to Matt's house, and I insisted on helping Caroline care for him. Gran nodded in agreement, pledging to assist as well.

As we entered Matt's home, the air was thick with tension. Caroline sat on the edge of the couch next to Matt, who was propped up with pillows, while Gran bustled around the kitchen, the comforting aroma of simmering soup wafting through the air. I took on the task of cleaning, but every time I passed by Vicky's room, a heavy weight settled in my chest. I stood at her door, staring at the scattered remnants of her life—her clothes hanging in the closet, her books piled on the side table. A wave of guilt washed over me.

I couldn't shake the thought that I was partly to blame for what happened.

If I had gone to the sheriff sooner, perhaps Vicky would still be here with us.

"Bella?"

The sound of my name snapped me out of my thoughts. I walked into the living room, where Caroline struggled to coax a few bites of food into Matt. Gran, ever the support, tried to ease Caroline's anxiety.

"Bella, what's wrong?" Gran asked concern etched on her face.

"Did someone call my name?"

"No, no one has called you," Gran reassured me.

"I could have sworn I heard someone calling for me," I murmured, my heart racing a little.

"Maybe you're just tired," Caroline suggested, her voice tinged with worry.

"Maybe I am. It sounded like…"

What am I doing?

I'm losing my mind.

"Who did it sound like?" Matt inquired, trying to divert Caroline's focus away from her distress.

"Vicky," I whispered, the name hanging heavily in the air.

"Maybe you really are tired," he said, glancing toward her room, a shared understanding passing between us. "Maybe I am too."

"How did you end up breaking your arm?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Matt chuckled lightly despite his pain. "It was the float we built for the Founder's Day parade. Wouldn't you know it? The damn thing fell right on my arm."

"Are you still planning to go to the Founder's Day parade?" Caroline asked, a flicker of hope in her voice.

"Of course," I replied with a smile, masking my growing unease.

Caroline looked stunning in her Founders Day dress, the vibrant colors accentuating her features. I felt a pang of longing as I admired her from a distance, not daring to step closer. I didn't want her or her friends to confront me before I figured out what to say—or, more importantly, why she wanted to speak with me in the first place.

What could she possibly want from me?

I hadn't talked to Jeremy much; we've both been caught up in our own lives lately. I couldn't break away from Gran, who had been understandably protective.

But amidst all this, I had been steadily texting Isobel over the past few days.

She prefers the name Izzy over Isobel, a subtle reminder of her desire for a more casual connection.

Beau wasn't strictly homosexual; he identified as bisexual.

They had shared a sexual relationship; she was his first love in a way that both excited and terrified him.

From the start, Gran and Mom had never warmed up to Izzy, but Gramps had his own fondness for her until her relationship with Beau began to blossom.

As I navigated these tangled relationships, my curiosity piqued about Izzy's child. She had mentioned plans to introduce her, and I couldn't help but wonder how that meeting had turned out.

So, how did things go with your daughter? I texted.

Not well. Was her response.

What happened?

She doesn't like me, but that's expected. I want to know about you.

Me? You're the exciting one.

Because I'm a vampire?

Yes, but because of Beau.

He was a wonderful boy.

Did you tell him about vampires?

No.

So, John Gilbert did?

What do you know about John Gilbert?

Not much. His niece and nephew live four houses down from me.

And what are they like?

The boy is my friend.

And the girl? What do you think about her?

She's a person.

You don't like her?

Not particularly.

After an hour, she responds with, Oh.

Have you met John's niece?

Yes.

Did you like her?

She's fine.

What is she like?

John's niece?

Your daughter.

What do you want to know?

How old is she?

17. I want to talk about you. What is your life like?

Great, except the people I care about keep dying.

I heard.

How?

Compulsion. I've been keeping an eye on you for a while.

Before or after I arrived in town?

Since the moment you arrived, I've been very transfixed by you.

Why were you keeping an eye on me?

Beau. And the fact that you're hanging around the Salvatore brothers. They are vampires.

I know.

It would be best to be more cautious; your redolence makes you very appetizing to vampires.

Are there more vampires in town?

Yes.

Who?

The Salvatore brothers, that girl I saw you with, the witch opened the tomb, so there could be some you that sit next to in class.

What tomb?

Damon Salvatore was trying to free Katherine Pierce. Katherine was never there—the romantic fool.

How do you know Katherine?

When I turned, she found me.

Why?

Genetic curiosity, I suppose.

Genetic curious? Wait, you and this Katherine are related?! Are you a part vampire?

No, Katherine gave birth before she turned.

Does your daughter know?

Yes.

Is that why the meeting went horribly?

Yes and no.

Care to share?

I want to meet you.

When?

I'll find you.