Maya stared at Rayyan.

The words of the mysterious woman echoed in her mind.

“Ask him what happened to Ayla.”

The room was silent.

Too silent.

Even Zoya had stopped making jokes.

That alone was terrifying.

Maya took a step toward Rayyan.

“Where is Ayla?”

Rayyan didn’t answer.

“Rayyan.”

He looked at her.

“I don’t know.”

Maya’s heart sank.

The woman standing in the shadows laughed softly.

“Still lying.”

Rayyan’s face hardened.

“Stay out of this.”

“Out of this?”

The woman stepped forward.

“You’ve been hiding the truth for fifteen years.”

Maya turned toward her.

“Who are you?”

The woman smiled.

“I told you.”

“You told me you’re Nadia.”

“Yes.”

“The bride’s mother?”

“Yes.”

“But you’re supposed to be dead.”

Nadia’s expression became sad.

“That’s what everyone was supposed to believe.”

Maya looked at Rayyan.

“Why?”

Rayyan finally spoke.

“Because she had to disappear.”

“Why?”

“Because someone wanted her dead.”

“Who?”

Rayyan looked at Nadia.

“Your husband.”

Maya froze.

“My father?”

Nadia nodded.

“Your father discovered that I knew the truth.”

“What truth?”

Nadia looked toward the cake.

“That’s why you’re here.”

Maya followed her gaze.

The seven-tier wedding cake stood in the middle of the room.

It looked completely innocent.

Which, after everything that had happened, made Maya suspicious.

“What’s inside it?”

Nadia smiled.

“Open it.”

Zoya immediately stepped forward.

“Finally.”

Maya stared at her.

“What?”

Zoya shrugged.

“Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this moment since Chapter One.”

Rayyan looked at her.

“What does that even mean?”

“Nothing.”

Zoya picked up a knife.

Maya stopped her.

“Wait.”

“Why?”

“Because this is a mystery.”

“And?”

“We should be careful.”

Zoya looked at the cake.

“It’s a cake.”

“It’s been involved in three disappearances.”

“Four.”

Maya frowned.

“Four?”

“Don’t forget the first time it disappeared.”

“That’s the same disappearance!”

“Still counts.”

Maya sighed.

“Fine.”

She took the knife.

Slowly, she cut into the first tier.

Nothing.

Just cake.

Zoya took a piece.

Maya stared.

“What are you doing?”

“Eating.”

“Why?”

“Stress.”

Rayyan looked at her.

“You’re eating cake during a murder investigation?”

Zoya swallowed.

“Would you rather I panic?”

“Yes.”

“That’s not healthy.”

Maya ignored them.

She cut deeper.

Still nothing.

Then…

Clink.

The knife hit something.

Everyone froze.

Maya looked down.

“There’s something inside.”

Zoya’s eyes widened.

“Finally!”

Maya carefully removed the piece.

Inside was a small metal box.

Rayyan stared.

“That’s definitely not normal.”

Maya pulled it out.

The box was locked.

Nadia stepped closer.

“Use the key.”

Maya looked at her.

“The black key?”

Nadia nodded.

Maya took it out.

She inserted it.

Click.

The box opened.

Inside was a small memory card.

And a folded piece of paper.

Maya picked up the paper.

She unfolded it.

There was only one sentence.

“The truth is recorded where the fire began.”

Maya frowned.

“The fire.”

Rayyan nodded.

“The old hotel kitchen.”

“Exactly.”

Zoya looked worried.

“Why do I feel like we’re about to walk into another dangerous place?”

Rayyan looked at her.

“Because we are.”

“Wonderful.”

Maya looked at Nadia.

“What’s on the memory card?”

Nadia shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

“Then why did you put it in the cake?”

“I didn’t.”

Maya froze.

“What?”

Nadia looked at Rayyan.

“He did.”

Maya slowly turned.

Rayyan’s expression changed.

“You put it there?”

Rayyan nodded.

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“To keep it safe.”

“From whom?”

“Everyone.”

Maya stepped closer.

“Rayyan, what is going on?”

He looked at her.

“I was trying to protect you.”

Maya’s eyes filled with tears.

“You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s true.”

“Then tell me the truth!”

Rayyan remained silent.

Maya’s voice broke.

“Please.”

Something changed in his expression.

He looked at her as if he had finally realized how much his silence had hurt her.

“I knew about the fire.”

“I know.”

“I knew about Nadia.”

“I know.”

“I knew about Ayla.”

Maya froze.

“Then tell me.”

Rayyan looked down.

“I thought Ayla was dead.”

Silence.

Maya whispered:

“What?”

“I thought she died that night.”

“Why?”

“Because I saw the fire.”

“Did you see her?”

“Yes.”

“Alive?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did you think she died?”

“Because the building collapsed.”

Maya closed her eyes.

“What happened to her?”

“I don’t know.”

Nadia interrupted.

“He’s lying.”

Rayyan turned.

“Enough.”

“No.”

Nadia stepped closer.

“You saw her.”

Rayyan’s face became pale.

Maya stared at him.

“You saw Ayla?”

Rayyan didn’t answer.

Maya grabbed his arm.

“Rayyan.”

He finally looked at her.

“Yes.”

“When?”

“That night.”

“Where?”

“In the basement.”

Maya’s heart stopped.

“The basement?”

Rayyan nodded.

“I found her.”

“Was she alive?”

“Yes.”

“Then where is she?”

Rayyan closed his eyes.

“I couldn’t save her.”

Maya’s heart broke.

“What happened?”

Rayyan’s voice became quiet.

“Someone locked her inside the basement.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then how did you get out?”

“I didn’t.”

Maya stared.

“What?”

“I was trapped too.”

“Then who rescued you?”

Rayyan looked at Nadia.

“She did.”

Maya turned toward Nadia.

“You rescued him?”

Nadia nodded.

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you rescue Ayla?”

Nadia’s eyes filled with tears.

“I tried.”

“But?”

“The fire spread too quickly.”

Maya whispered:

“Then Ayla died?”

Nadia shook her head.

“No.”

Maya looked at her.

“What?”

“She survived.”

Everyone froze.

Maya’s heart began pounding.

“Where is she?”

Nadia smiled.

“She’s closer than you think.”

Maya looked around.

The room was empty.

“Where?”

Nadia pointed toward the door.

“She’s been here all night.”

Maya’s blood went cold.

“Who?”

Nadia didn’t answer.

Instead, she walked toward the door.

Then she opened it.

A young woman stood outside.

Maya immediately recognized her.

The woman in the black dress.

The woman from the kitchen.

The mysterious stranger.

The woman who had been watching them.

Maya stared.

The woman stepped forward.

Nadia smiled.

“Ayla.”

Maya’s breath stopped.

The woman looked at her.

For several seconds…

Neither spoke.

Then Ayla smiled.

“Hello, Maya.”

Maya couldn’t move.

“How do you know my name?”

Ayla laughed softly.

“I’ve known you all my life.”

Maya stared.

“You’re Ayla?”

“Yes.”

“But…”

Maya couldn’t understand.

“You disappeared.”

Ayla nodded.

“For fifteen years.”

“Why?”

“Because I had to.”

“Why?”

Ayla looked at Nadia.

“Because your father wanted me dead.”

Maya’s heart sank.

“Why?”

“Because I knew what he did.”

“What did he do?”

Ayla looked at Rayyan.

“He started the fire.”

Maya turned toward Rayyan.

“What?”

Rayyan shook his head.

“No.”

Ayla continued.

“He wanted to kill Nadia.”

“Why?”

“Because she discovered his secret.”

“What secret?”

Ayla looked at Maya.

“Your father was stealing money from the hotel.”

Maya frowned.

“That’s it?”

“No.”

Ayla’s expression became serious.

“He wasn’t stealing money for himself.”

“Then for whom?”

Ayla whispered:

“Salman.”

Maya froze.

“Salman?”

Rayyan’s face changed.

“That’s impossible.”

Ayla looked at him.

“Your father’s business partner.”

Rayyan shook his head.

“He died years ago.”

Ayla smiled sadly.

“No.”

Maya felt cold.

“He’s alive?”

Ayla nodded.

“And he’s the groom.”

Silence.

Maya’s heart stopped.

“The groom?”

“The man you saw tonight.”

Rayyan suddenly stepped forward.

“Where is he?”

Ayla looked toward the door.

“He’s already gone.”

“Where?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then why did you say he’s the groom?”

“Because he is.”

Maya stared.

“Then who is the real groom?”

Ayla looked at her.

“That’s the question.”

Suddenly, Zoya raised her hand.

Everyone looked at her.

“What?”

She looked embarrassed.

“I have a question.”

Maya sighed.

“What?”

“Why does nobody know who the actual groom is?”

Silence.

Zoya looked around.

“Seriously.”

Rayyan frowned.

“Wait.”

He looked at Maya.

“She’s right.”

Maya’s eyes widened.

“The wedding.”

“Yes.”

“Nobody has actually seen the groom’s face clearly.”

“Exactly.”

Zoya raised her hand again.

“And I have another question.”

Maya stared.

“What now?”

“Why did we spend six hours investigating a cake?”

Rayyan looked at the cake.

“Because someone hid a memory card inside it.”

“Okay.”

Zoya nodded.

“That makes sense.”

Maya looked at Ayla.

“Who is the real groom?”

Ayla didn’t answer.

Instead, she pointed toward the memory card.

“Watch that.”

Maya took out her phone.

Rayyan stopped her.

“Not here.”

“Why?”

“Because we don’t know what’s on it.”

“That’s why we need to watch it.”

“Somebody could be tracking it.”

Zoya frowned.

“How?”

Rayyan looked at her.

“I don’t know.”

“Then why did you say it?”

“Because it sounded intelligent.”

Maya almost laughed.

Despite everything.

Rayyan looked at her.

For a second…

They both smiled.

Then Maya looked away.

“Let’s go.”

---

They returned to the hotel office.

Rayyan locked the door.

Maya inserted the memory card into the computer.

The screen turned black.

Then a video appeared.

It showed the hotel fifteen years ago.

Maya watched silently.

A young Nadia walked into the basement.

She was holding a file.

A man followed her.

Maya recognized him.

Her father.

Nadia turned around.

“You can’t hide this forever.”

Maya’s father laughed.

“I can.”

“You stole millions.”

“I borrowed it.”

“You destroyed the company.”

“That’s not my problem.”

“You’ll go to prison.”

“Not if you’re dead.”

Maya’s heart stopped.

The video shook.

Nadia stepped backward.

“You wouldn’t.”

Maya’s father pulled out a knife.

Then suddenly…

A little girl appeared.

Ayla.

She was watching from behind the door.

Maya covered her mouth.

Ayla had seen everything.

The video continued.

Maya’s father noticed her.

He ran toward her.

Ayla screamed.

Nadia tried to stop him.

Then…

The fire began.

Maya watched in horror.

Her father had set the curtains on fire.

The flames spread.

Nadia grabbed Ayla.

They ran.

But the door locked.

Someone had locked them inside.

Maya screamed:

“Who locked the door?”

The video showed a hand.

A man’s hand.

He was wearing a black ring.

Maya stared.

The same ring was on the finger of the mysterious old man.

She looked at Rayyan.

“Who is he?”

Rayyan shook his head.

“I don’t know.”

Then the video showed something else.

A young Maya appeared.

She was standing in the hallway.

She was crying.

And beside her…

Was Rayyan.

Maya’s heart stopped.

Rayyan was holding the black key.

Then a man appeared behind them.

Maya’s father.

He whispered something to Rayyan.

The video audio became clearer.

“Take the key.”

Young Rayyan nodded.

Maya’s eyes widened.

“Why did he give you the key?”

Rayyan didn’t answer.

The video continued.

Maya’s father pointed toward the basement.

“Open the door.”

Young Rayyan walked toward it.

Maya suddenly screamed.

“Stop!”

The video froze.

Rayyan looked at her.

“What?”

“You knew.”

“I didn’t.”

“You opened the door.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I thought Ayla was inside.”

Maya stared.

“And?”

“I opened it.”

“What happened?”

Rayyan looked down.

“I found you.”

Maya froze.

“Me?”

“You were inside.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know.”

The video continued.

Young Maya was lying on the floor.

Unconscious.

Rayyan picked her up.

Then Ayla appeared.

Alive.

Standing behind him.

Maya’s heart stopped.

“She was alive.”

Rayyan nodded.

“Yes.”

The video showed Ayla running away.

Maya’s father appeared.

He grabbed her.

Then the video stopped.

Maya stared at the screen.

“What happened next?”

Ayla answered.

“I escaped.”

Maya turned.

“How?”

“I ran.”

“Where?”

“Into the forest.”

“Then?”

“I was found by someone.”

“Who?”

Ayla looked at the door.

“Salman.”

Maya froze.

“Salman saved you?”

Ayla nodded.

“But he was working with my father.”

“At first.”

“Then why?”

“Because he betrayed him.”

“Why?”

“Because he wanted the money.”

Zoya frowned.

“Of course.”

Everyone looked at her.

She shrugged.

“People in this story really like money.”

Maya ignored her.

“What happened after that?”

Ayla looked at Nadia.

“Nadia found me.”

“And?”

“We disappeared together.”

Maya’s eyes filled with tears.

“You could have come back.”

“We couldn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because your father threatened to kill you.”

Maya froze.

“Me?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Ayla looked at her.

“Because you were the only person who knew where the key was.”

Maya’s eyes widened.

“The key?”

“The black key.”

Maya looked at the mysterious key on the table.

“What does it open?”

Ayla shook her head.

“We don’t know.”

Nadia stepped forward.

“That’s why the cake was important.”

Maya frowned.

“Why?”

“Because the key was supposed to be hidden inside it.”

Maya stared.

“Then why did it end up on top of the cake?”

Nadia smiled.

“Because someone moved it.”

“Who?”

Nadia looked at Rayyan.

Rayyan raised his hands.

“Not me.”

Everyone stared.

He sighed.

“Okay.”

He took out a small object.

A remote control.

Maya frowned.

“What’s that?”

“The cake.”

“What about it?”

Rayyan pressed a button.

Suddenly…

The cake moved.

Zoya screamed.

Maya jumped.

The cake rolled across the room.

Rayyan laughed.

“I built a small motor inside it.”

Maya stared at him.

“You?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because I knew someone would try to steal it.”

Zoya looked impressed.

“That’s actually brilliant.”

Maya stared at Rayyan.

“You knew the cake was going to disappear?”

Rayyan nodded.

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you tell us?”

“Because I wanted to catch the thief.”

Maya stared.

“Rayyan.”

“Yes?”

“You made us chase a cake all night?”

“Technically, the cake chased us.”

“How?”

He pressed another button.

The cake suddenly rolled toward Maya.

She jumped.

“Rayyan!”

He laughed.

Zoya burst out laughing.

Even Ayla smiled.

For the first time all night…

The tension disappeared.

Then Maya grabbed the remote.

“Give me that.”

“No.”

“Give it.”

“No.”

“I’ll break it.”

“You wouldn’t.”

Maya pressed a button.

The cake rolled directly toward Rayyan.

He jumped onto a chair.

“HEY!”

Maya smiled.

Zoya started laughing.

Ayla laughed too.

Rayyan stared at all three women.

“This is betrayal.”

Maya laughed.

“Good.”

For a few seconds…

Everything felt normal.

Then suddenly…

The cake stopped.

The lights flickered.

The computer screen went black.

A message appeared.

YOU FOUND THE TRUTH.

Maya stopped smiling.

Another line appeared.

NOW FIND THE RING.

Zoya frowned.

“What ring?”

Maya looked at the silver ring from the cake.

Ayla shook her head.

“Not that one.”

“Then which one?”

Ayla pointed toward the cake.

“The diamond ring.”

Maya’s eyes widened.

“The real ring?”

Ayla nodded.

“The ring your father stole.”

“Why is it important?”

“Because it contains the location of the money.”

Everyone stared.

Rayyan blinked.

“Money?”

Ayla nodded.

“The money your father stole.”

Zoya’s eyes widened.

“How much?”

Ayla looked at her.

“Millions.”

Zoya immediately sat down.

“I suddenly feel very poor.”

Maya ignored her.

“Where is the ring?”

Ayla shook her head.

“We don’t know.”

“Then why did you bring us here?”

“Because someone else knows.”

“Who?”

Ayla looked toward the door.

The answer came from outside.

A man’s voice.

“Me.”

Everyone froze.

The door opened.

The groom stood there.

But this time…

He wasn’t alone.

The mysterious old man stood beside him.

Maya stepped backward.

The groom smiled.

“Hello again.”

Rayyan immediately stood in front of Maya.

The groom laughed.

“Still protecting her?”

“Always.”

Maya looked at Rayyan.

Her heart skipped.

The groom looked at Maya.

“You’re looking for the ring.”

“Where is it?”

“Somewhere very close.”

“Tell me.”

He smiled.

“Look at the cake.”

Maya turned.

The cake was still there.

But now…

The top tier had opened.

Inside was a small velvet box.

Maya slowly approached.

She opened it.

A beautiful diamond ring lay inside.

But there was something else.

A tiny piece of paper.

Maya unfolded it.

Her eyes widened.

“THE RING IS YOURS.”

She looked confused.

“What?”

The groom laughed.

“Your father never stole the ring.”

Maya looked at him.

“Then who did?”

The groom’s smile disappeared.

“Your mother.”

Maya froze.

“My mother?”

The groom nodded.

“She took the ring.”

“Why?”

“To hide the truth.”

“What truth?”

The groom looked at Rayyan.

Then at Ayla.

Then at Maya.

“The truth about who your real father was.”

Maya’s heart stopped.

“What?”

The groom stepped closer.

“Your father wasn’t your father.”

Silence.

Maya looked at Rayyan.

Then Ayla.

Then Nadia.

No one spoke.

The groom smiled.

“Your real father…”

He pointed toward the mysterious old man.

“…is standing right there.”

Maya turned.

The old man stared at her.

Her entire world seemed to stop.

She whispered:

“Is this true?”

The old man slowly nodded.

“Yes.”

Maya couldn’t breathe.

Rayyan stepped toward her.

“Maya…”

She stepped away.

“Don’t.”

The groom laughed.

“Now you know why everyone wanted you to forget.”

Maya looked at him.

“Why?”

The groom’s smile became terrifying.

“Because if you remember everything…”

He stepped backward.

“…you’ll know who really killed your mother.”

Maya froze.

“She’s alive.”

“Not the woman you think.”

“What does that mean?”

The groom smiled.

Then he pulled out a gun.

Rayyan immediately grabbed Maya.

“Run!”

A shot echoed.

BANG!

Everyone screamed.

The groom ran.

Maya chased him.

“Stop!”

But he disappeared through the secret door.

Maya reached it.

It was locked.

She looked down.

The black key was lying on the floor.

But this time…

It wasn’t black.

It was covered in blood.

Maya slowly picked it up.

A new message had appeared.

OPEN THE LAST DOOR.

Rayyan came running toward her.

“Maya!”

She turned.

“There’s one door left.”

Rayyan looked terrified.

“Which one?”

Maya pointed toward the far end of the corridor.

A door stood there.

It had been hidden behind a painting.

The door was old.

Covered in scratches.

And on it…

Was a name.

AYLA.

Ayla stared at it.

Her face became completely pale.

“No.”

Maya looked at her.

“What’s wrong?”

Ayla took a step backward.

“I know this door.”

“From where?”

Ayla whispered:

“That’s where I was locked fifteen years ago.”

The door slowly opened by itself.

And from inside…

Came the sound of a little girl laughing.

Maya stared into the darkness.

Then a child’s voice whispered:

“Maya… you promised you wouldn’t tell.”

Maya’s heart stopped.

She suddenly remembered.

Everything.

The fire.

The knife.

The basement.

Ayla.

And the secret she had buried for fifteen years.

Maya turned toward Rayyan.

Tears filled her eyes.

“I remember.”

Rayyan grabbed her hand.

“What?”

Maya looked toward the open door.

“I know who started the fire.”

“Who?”

She whispered:

“My father.”

Rayyan’s face changed.

“But that’s not all.”

Maya looked at him.

“I know who killed Nadia.”

Silence.

Everyone stared at her.

Maya’s voice trembled.

“It wasn’t my father.”

“Then who?”

Maya slowly turned toward the mysterious old man.

The man looked at her.

And smiled.

Maya whispered:

“It was you.”

The old man stepped backward.

Then he laughed.

And suddenly…

The entire hotel went dark.