Chapter 11: The Family Secret
I stared at the photograph until my eyes hurt.
My mother.
Standing beside Sarah.
Beside Vanessa.
Beside Marcus.
All these years, I thought the people in my life existed in separate worlds.
My family.
Sarah’s family.
Vanessa.
Marcus.
But they were connected.
They had always been connected.
I called Michael.
No answer.
Again.
No answer.
A third time.
Straight to voicemail.
I knew then.
He wasn’t running from me.
He was running from someone else.
I drove straight to my mother’s house.
I didn’t call first.
I didn’t warn her.
I needed to see her reaction.
The moment she opened the door, she knew.
Not because I said anything.
Because of my face.
“Richard…”
I held up the photograph.
Her expression changed.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
“You know this picture.””
She stepped back.
“Where did you get that?””
“So it’s real?””
She looked away.
“Come inside.””
I almost laughed.
“No.””
She looked at me.
“Richard.””
“No more secrets.””
The pain in my voice made her stop.
“I buried my wife believing I knew the truth.””
My hands shook.
“I raised my daughter while everyone around me knew things I didn’t.””
She whispered:
“I was trying to protect you.””
“That’s what everyone says.””
Silence.
Then she opened the door wider.
“Come inside.””
This time, I did.
She sat at the kitchen table.
The same table where she used to make me sandwiches before school.
The same place where she taught me honesty.
Now she was the person I needed answers from.
“Sarah came to me before she died.””
I froze.
“What?””
“She was scared.””
“Of Vanessa?””
My mother nodded.
“Yes.””
“Then why didn’t you tell me?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Because Sarah asked me not to.””
I couldn’t believe it.
“She asked you to hide this from me?””
“She thought if Vanessa knew I knew, Lily would be in danger.””
I looked away.
“Everyone keeps saying Lily was in danger.””
My voice cracked.
“From what?””
My mother reached into a drawer.
She pulled out a small envelope.
I stared.
Another envelope.
Another secret.
She handed it to me.
“Your father left this.””
I frowned.
“My father?””
“He knew about the Hart trust.””
My heart sank.
I opened it.
Inside was a letter.
The handwriting wasn’t Sarah’s.
It was my father’s.
*Richard,*
*If you are reading this, then the people who wanted the money have found their way into your life.*
I kept reading.
*I made a mistake years ago. I trusted the wrong people.*
My mother whispered:
“Your father knew Sarah’s family had enemies.””
I looked up.
“Who?””
She didn’t answer.
I looked back at the letter.
*The person you need to fear is not the person taking the money. It is the person who believes they deserve it.*
My hands trembled.
Then I reached the final line.
*Your own family may be the greatest danger to Lily.*
I slowly lowered the paper.
“My family?””
My mother looked at me.
“I’m sorry.””
The room felt colder.
“Who?””
She started crying.
“Richard…”
“Who?””
She whispered:
“Your sister.””
I stopped breathing.
“My sister?””
I didn’t have a sister.
At least, not one I knew about.
My mother covered her face.
“There’s something I never told you.””
The door suddenly slammed open.
I turned.
Michael stood there.
Breathing heavily.
“You need to leave.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
He looked at my mother.
“She knows.””
My mother went pale.
Michael looked at me.
“She knows where Lily is.””
My heart stopped.
“Who knows?””
Michael looked terrified.
“The person who has been controlling Vanessa.””
A pause.
Then:
“Your biological sister.””
I stepped back.
“No.””
Michael nodded.
“Yes.””
May you like
He whispered:
“And she wants Lily.””
