Chapter 9: The Man Behind The Secret
The figure stepped into the room.
I couldn’t see his face clearly.
Only his outline.
Tall.
Broad shoulders.
Calm.
Too calm.
Dr. Harris immediately stood.
“No.””
The man closed the door behind him.
“Hello, doctor.””
My heart started pounding.
“Who are you?””
The man ignored me.
He looked at Dr. Harris.
“You were told not to talk.””
Dr. Harris stepped in front of me.
“You’ve done enough.””
The man laughed quietly.
“Have I?””
I moved around the desk.
“You know about Emily.””
The man finally looked at me.
“Yes.””
“How?””
He smiled.
“Because I was there.””
The room felt smaller.
“What does that mean?””
The man walked closer.
“I knew Emily before you did.””
I clenched my fists.
“Who are you?””
He stopped.
Then said:
“Michael.””
The name meant nothing.
But Dr. Harris reacted.
His face went pale.
“No.””
Michael smiled.
“Yes.””
I looked between them.
“What is happening?””
Dr. Harris whispered:
“Michael was Vanessa’s adoptive father.””
The pieces started falling together.
Vanessa’s family.
The changed records.
Emily’s fear.
“You’re the person Emily was investigating.””
Michael smiled.
“She was always too curious.””
I stepped forward.
“What did you do to her?””
His expression changed.
For the first time, anger appeared.
“Careful.””
“Did you hurt my wife?””
Michael looked at me.
“Emily hurt herself by asking questions she shouldn’t have asked.””
My fists tightened.
“You don’t get to talk about her.””
He ignored me.
“She found out things about Vanessa.””
“What things?””
Michael looked toward the DNA test.
“Things about Sophie.””
I felt my stomach twist.
“What does Sophie have to do with you?””
He smiled.
“Everything.””
The word terrified me.
I grabbed my phone.
“I’m calling the police.””
Michael didn’t move.
“Go ahead.””
That confidence scared me.
“You think I’m afraid?””
“No.””
He looked at me.
“I think you don’t understand what happens next.””
Suddenly, Dr. Harris grabbed my arm.
“Daniel, you need to leave.””
“What?””
“Now.””
Michael laughed.
“Still protecting them?””
Dr. Harris pushed me toward the door.
“Take Sophie and go.””
I stopped.
“How do you know where Sophie is?””
The room went silent.
Michael smiled.
“Because I’ve been watching her.””
Every instinct in my body screamed.
I ran.
I didn’t look back.
I drove home faster than I ever had.
But when I reached my house…
The front door was open.
My blood turned cold.
“Sophie?””
No answer.
I ran inside.
“Sophie!””
The house was empty.
Her backpack was on the floor.
Her drawing was still on the table.
But she was gone.
Then I saw something.
A piece of paper sitting beside her bracelet.
I picked it up.
Only one sentence was written.
Daniel,
You wanted the truth.
Now come find your daughter.
At the bottom was a signature.
Not Vanessa.
Not Michael.
Someone else.
May you like
Someone I never expected.
Emily.
