Chapter 8: The Woman Who Knew My Father
I stood frozen on my front porch.
The wind moved through the trees, but I barely felt it.
The only thing I could hear was the woman’s breathing on the phone.
“Rachel?””
“Yes.””
Her voice was quiet.
Careful.
Like someone who had spent years afraid of being heard.
“How did you get my number?””
“I knew your father.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“What does that mean?””
“It means he tried to protect you.””
My eyes moved toward the house.
Daniel was standing behind the window.
Watching me.
“Where are you?””
“I can’t tell you.””
“Why?””
“Because if Evelyn knows I contacted you, I won’t get another chance.””
My heart started racing.
“You’re afraid of your own mother?””
There was silence.
Then:
“You have no idea what she’s capable of.””
I closed my eyes.
My father’s warning suddenly felt heavier.
“Rachel, I need answers.””
“I know.””
“Did you take my inheritance?””
“No.””
Her answer came instantly.
Too instantly.
“Then who did?””
Another pause.
“Your husband.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“Daniel?””
“He didn’t start it.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Rachel sighed.
“Daniel has spent his entire life trying to earn his mother’s approval.””
I looked back at the house.
“That doesn’t excuse what he did.””
“No.””
Her voice softened.
“It doesn’t.””
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she said:
“Your father found out about Evelyn’s plan before he died.””
“What plan?””
“To use your marriage.””
I felt sick.
“Use my marriage?””
“Yes.””
Rachel continued.
“Evelyn knew Daniel was going to marry you.””
“That’s impossible.””
“No, Sarah.””
Her voice became more urgent.
“She knew exactly who you were.””
I looked at the house.
At the man I married.
The man who once held my hand and promised we would grow old together.
“She knew my family?””
“She knew your father’s company. She knew your inheritance. She knew everything.””
My throat tightened.
“Why?””
Rachel answered quietly.
“Because your father destroyed the one thing she wanted.””
“What?””
“Control.””
The word hung there.
Rachel continued.
“Years ago, Evelyn and my father were involved in hiding money from investors. Your father discovered it.””
I remembered Michael saying my father investigated Daniel’s family.
“He exposed them.””
“Yes.””
“What happened?””
“Your father threatened to go public.””
“And then?””
“Evelyn begged him not to.””
I frowned.
“Why would he listen?””
“He didn’t.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“Then what?””
Rachel whispered:
“She decided to take revenge.””
I looked at the house.
At Daniel.
“By marrying me?””
“By making Daniel marry you.””
I stopped.
“No.””
“Sarah.””
“No.””
I refused to believe it.
Because that meant every moment had been fake.
Every kiss.
Every promise.
Every memory.
Rachel’s voice softened.
“I’m sorry.””
I swallowed.
“Daniel knew?””
“He knew pieces.””
“Pieces?””
“He knew your money mattered. He knew his mother wanted access. But I don’t think he understood how far she would go.””
I looked at the window.
Daniel was no longer there.
“Where is he?””
“Who?””
“Daniel.””
I turned toward the house.
The front door was open.
My heart jumped.
“Wait.””
I walked inside.
The living room was empty.
“Rachel, hold on.””
I moved through the hallway.
“Sarah?””
I ignored her.
The kitchen.
Empty.
The office.
Empty.
Then I saw the back door.
Open.
And on the floor beside it was Daniel’s phone.
I picked it up.
The screen was cracked.
One notification appeared.
A message from Evelyn.
*Bring her to the old warehouse. She needs to see what her father did.*
My blood ran cold.
I whispered:
“What old warehouse?””
Rachel went silent.
Then she said:
“Sarah…”
Her voice changed.
“Don’t go there.””
“Why?””
“Because that’s where my mother made Daniel choose between me and you.””
I stared at the message.
“What happened there?””
May you like
Rachel’s answer came like a warning.
“That’s where my brother learned how to betray people.””
