Chapter 4: The Secret My Husband Took to His Grave
For a moment, I couldn't hear anything.
The lobby seemed to tilt beneath my feet.
I stared at Daniel Whitmore, waiting for him to explain what he'd just said.
"My husband?"" I whispered.
Daniel nodded.
"Emily, I didn't know how much you knew about your husband's family.""
My father immediately stepped between us.
"Choose your next words carefully, Daniel.""
Daniel swallowed.
"Her husband, Michael Carter, was involved with a group of investors who wanted control of the Ashford properties. He approached Victoria several months ago.""
I shook my head.
"That's impossible. Michael died three weeks before Lily was born.""
Nobody spoke.
I felt Lily moving against my chest.
My husband had died in a car accident on a rainy highway. At least, that's what the police report said.
I'd received a call from an officer at two in the morning. By sunrise, I was sitting in a hospital room, eight months pregnant, listening to a stranger explain that my husband would never come home.
I'd never questioned the accident.
Not once.
"Michael loved me," I said quietly.
"He would never hurt Lily.""
Daniel looked genuinely uncomfortable.
"I'm not saying he wanted to hurt her. I'm saying he was involved in something dangerous.""
My father grabbed Daniel's arm.
"Where did you get this information?""
"From Michael himself.""
My knees weakened.
"What?""
Daniel opened his briefcase again and removed a small envelope.
"Three days before his accident, Michael came to my office. He said someone was using his name to arrange a meeting with your daughter.""
I stared at him.
"Why didn't you tell the police?""
"Because I didn't believe him. And because he asked me not to involve anyone.""
My father took the envelope.
Inside was a photograph of Michael standing beside a black SUV.
I recognized the location immediately.
It was the parking garage beneath our old apartment building.
On the back, Michael had written six words:
*If anything happens, protect Emily and Lily.*
My throat tightened.
"Where did you get this?""
"Michael left it with my assistant," Daniel answered.
"She gave it to me yesterday.""
My father looked up sharply.
"Yesterday?""
Daniel nodded.
"Someone had been asking questions about Emily's arrival at the hotel. I thought the photograph might be connected.""
Victoria suddenly interrupted.
"This is ridiculous. I was never supposed to be involved in any of this.""
Daniel turned toward her.
"Then why did you accept the envelope?""
She froze.
My father slowly faced her.
"What envelope?""
Victoria's lips trembled.
"Nothing.""
Daniel stepped closer.
"Victoria, stop lying. You told me you received instructions.""
She looked at him with fury.
"You promised you wouldn't mention that!""
I felt my heart pounding.
"What instructions?""
Victoria looked at me.
For the first time, there was no arrogance in her eyes.
Only fear.
"Someone told me to keep you away from the presidential suite," she whispered.
"Who?""
"I don't know.""
"Who gave you my photograph?""
She looked down.
"A woman.""
"What woman?""
Victoria hesitated.
Then she said a name.
"Margaret Carter.""
I stopped breathing.
Margaret was Michael's mother.
My mother-in-law.
The woman who had cried at her son's funeral and held my hands while promising that she would always protect Lily.
I remembered her kissing my daughter's forehead in the hospital.
I remembered her saying, "You're all the family Michael left behind.""
My father watched my face.
"Emily?""
I shook my head.
"No. Margaret wouldn't do this.""
Daniel spoke quietly.
"She told Victoria that you were carrying something that belonged to the Carter family.""
I looked at him.
"What could I possibly have?""
He pointed toward my diaper bag.
"Apparently, something worth millions.""
I instinctively pulled the bag closer.
Inside were Lily's diapers, bottles, a spare blanket, and a small wooden box Michael had given me before his death.
He'd told me never to open it unless I felt unsafe.
I had forgotten about it.
Until now.
My father noticed my expression.
"Sweetheart, what is it?""
I slowly reached into the bag.
My fingers found the small wooden box beneath Lily's spare clothes.
I pulled it out.
Daniel's face changed instantly.
"That's it.""
My father stared at the box.
"What?""
Daniel looked toward the security director.
"Call the police. Now.""
But before anyone could move, my phone vibrated.
A message appeared from an unknown number.
*YOU WERE WARNED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE ASHFORD HOTEL. GIVE US THE BOX, OR YOUR DAUGHTER WILL DISAPPEAR.*
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Then another message arrived.
This time, it included a photograph.
A woman standing outside the hotel entrance.
Holding a baby blanket identical to Lily's.
May you like
And beneath the photograph were four words:
*WE CAN SEE YOU.*
