Chapter 9: The Last Letter
I read the letter three times.
Not because I didn’t understand the words.
Because I couldn’t accept them.
My wife had known.
She knew something dangerous was coming.
And she still died without telling me.
I looked at Vanessa.
“Why didn’t you give me this?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Because I was ashamed.””
“Six years.””
“I was scared.””
“You let me believe my wife died in an accident.””
Vanessa looked down.
“I thought keeping quiet would protect Lily.””
I held the letter tighter.
“And did it?””
She didn’t answer.
Because we both knew.
No.
It didn’t.
Lily sat on the couch quietly, watching us.
Too young to understand the details.
Old enough to feel the fear.
I walked over and knelt beside her.
“Sweetheart, did Mommy ever tell you about this?””
She nodded.
“Only a little.””
“What did she say?””
Lily looked at Vanessa.
Then at me.
“She said some people would pretend to love us.””
My heart sank.
“What else?””
“She said I shouldn’t be afraid.””
I swallowed.
“Why?””
“Because Daddy would always find me.””
The words broke something inside me.
I hugged her.
“I’m here.””
Vanessa looked away.
For the first time, I saw something other than guilt in her eyes.
Pain.
She picked up another letter.
“This one is for you.””
I opened it.
My wife’s handwriting immediately brought tears to my eyes.
*Ethan, if you are reading this, I failed to keep my promise.*
I stopped.
My vision blurred.
*I wanted to tell you everything. But every person I trusted became a risk.*
I continued reading.
*Lily is special, but not because of anything mysterious. She is special because there are people who believe they can control her future.*
I looked at Vanessa.
“What does that mean?””
She shook her head.
“I don’t know.””
The letter continued.
*The person who caused my accident is someone close. Someone who knows our family. Someone who has been waiting.*
My hands went cold.
Someone close.
Someone who knew our family.
A sound came from outside.
A car door closing.
Everyone froze.
Vanessa stood.
“No.””
I looked at her.
“What?””
She moved toward the window.
Her face lost all color.
“They found us.””
I pulled Lily behind me.
“Who?””
Vanessa didn’t answer.
She just stared outside.
A black vehicle was parked across the street.
The same vehicle from the diner.
The same vehicle from the wedding.
My phone buzzed.
A message appeared.
Unknown number.
*You should have listened to Vanessa.*
Another message came immediately.
*Now we take what belongs to us.*
I looked at Lily.
Then at Vanessa.
“What do they want?””
Vanessa whispered:
“They want the truth your wife died protecting.””
The front door handle moved.
Someone was trying to open it.
Lily grabbed my hand.
“Daddy…”
I squeezed her fingers.
“I’m here.””
The lock cracked.
Vanessa stepped backward.
And then she said something that made my blood freeze.
“Ethan…”
I looked at her.
“What?””
She pointed at the door.
“The person outside…”
May you like
Her voice trembled.
“…is the same person who was supposed to be at your wedding today.””
