Chapter 4: The File Hidden for Four Years
I couldn’t sleep that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I heard the sound of the belt hitting my shoulder.
I heard Patricia laughing.
I heard Daniel telling me I didn’t have a choice.
But louder than all of that…
I heard my father’s voice when he said my name.
Not angry.
Not disappointed.
Just relieved.
Like he had been waiting four years to know I was safe.
The next morning, I sat at the kitchen table with Sophie beside me.
She was coloring a picture of three people holding hands.
A mother.
A daughter.
And a grandfather.
My heart tightened.
“Who is that?”” I asked softly.
She looked up.
“That’s Grandpa.””
I smiled.
“You barely know him.””
She shrugged.
“I know he came when you needed him.””
I didn’t know how to answer that.
Because she was right.
The front door opened.
My father walked in carrying two cups of coffee.
He placed one in front of me.
“Still no sugar?””
I looked at him.
“You remember?””
He smiled faintly.
“I remember everything about you, Emily.””
That sentence hurt more than I expected.
I looked down.
“Dad…”
He sat across from me.
“We need to talk about the file.””
The warmth disappeared.
I nodded slowly.
“What is it?””
He reached into his folder and pulled out an old envelope.
The paper was worn.
The corners were bent.
“My investigation into what happened before you left.””
I frowned.
“What investigation?””
He looked at Sophie.
Then waited until she was focused on her drawing.
“When your mother died, you thought I chose the military over you.””
I swallowed.
“Because you did.””
His eyes lowered.
“I made mistakes.””
The honesty surprised me.
“I should have been there more. I should have explained things instead of expecting you to understand.””
I looked away.
“But that doesn’t explain the file.””
He opened the envelope.
Inside were printed emails, financial records, and photographs.
My stomach twisted.
“What am I looking at?””
My father pushed one document toward me.
“Daniel.””
I stared at the name.
“What about him?””
“Before you married him, I asked someone to look into his background.””
My hands went cold.
“You investigated my fiancé?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He sighed.
“Because something didn’t feel right.””
I almost laughed.
“Dad, you hated every man I dated.””
“Not true.””
“You scared three of them away.””
“They deserved it.””
Despite everything, a small smile escaped me.
Then it disappeared.
“What did you find?””
My father looked serious.
“Daniel had debts.””
I stared at him.
“How much?””
“Enough that I was worried.””
I picked up the papers.
There were unpaid loans.
Credit card statements.
A record of missed payments.
“He told me he was financially responsible.””
“I know.””
My father paused.
“That’s why I tried to warn you.””
My chest tightened.
I remembered that day.
The argument.
The shouting.
My father telling me Daniel wasn’t who he seemed.
And me accusing him of trying to control my life.
“I thought you didn’t trust me.””
My father’s expression broke.
“I trusted you.””
A silence filled the kitchen.
“I didn’t trust him.””
Before I could respond, the front door opened.
A police officer stepped inside.
“Emily Carter?””
I stood.
“Yes?””
“We need to ask you some follow-up questions.””
My father immediately stood too.
“I’ll be present.””
The officer nodded.
“Of course.””
He looked at me.
“Mrs. Carter, we received new information this morning.””
My stomach tightened.
“What information?””
The officer hesitated.
Then opened his notebook.
“Your husband claims you attacked him first.””
I stared.
“What?””
“He says the injury to your shoulder happened during a struggle.””
My father’s jaw tightened.
“That’s a lie.””
The officer held up a hand.
“We’re aware there are conflicting statements.””
I felt the room spinning.
Daniel was trying to rewrite everything.
Trying to make me the villain.
Then the officer continued.
“But there’s something else.””
“What?””
He looked toward the folder on the table.
“Your husband’s attorney contacted us.””
My father’s expression changed.
“Why?””
The officer looked at me.
“Because Daniel claims your father has been threatening him for years.””
I froze.
“What?””
My father slowly looked at me.
And I understood.
Daniel wasn’t just defending himself.
He was preparing an attack.
Then my phone rang.
The screen showed an unknown number.
I answered carefully.
“Hello?””
A woman’s voice whispered.
“Emily?””
I frowned.
“Who is this?””
There was a pause.
Then the woman said something that made my blood run cold.
“I worked for Daniel before you married him.””
I stood completely still.
“What are you talking about?””
Her voice shook.
“I know why he wanted to marry you.””
The room went silent.
“Why?””
May you like
The woman whispered.
“Because of your father.””
