Chapter 7: My Father’s Last Message
I stared at the envelope for almost a full minute before I touched it.
My father’s handwriting was on the front.
The same handwriting that filled birthday cards.
The same handwriting that wrote notes beside my lunch when I was a child.
The same handwriting I thought I would never see again.
My fingers trembled as I opened it.
Inside was a single page.
Emily,
If you are reading this, then my fears were correct.
I stopped.
The room suddenly felt too small.
Daniel stood beside me.
Vanessa remained near the door, watching my reaction.
I continued reading.
I discovered Richard’s financial crimes months ago. He is not working alone. Someone close to me has been helping him.
My heart started pounding.
Someone close to him.
I looked at Daniel.
He noticed.
“Emily…”
I raised my hand.
“Don’t.””
I needed to finish.
The letter continued.
I don’t know who I can trust anymore. That is why I am leaving this information somewhere only you will find it.
But there is one thing you must know.
Your husband is not the person you think he is.
I stopped reading.
The words felt like a knife.
Daniel stepped forward.
“What does he mean?””
I looked at him.
“You tell me.””
His face tightened.
“I don’t know.””
“Your name is in my father’s final letter.””
“Because he knew about me.””
The answer came too quickly.
I noticed.
“You knew he suspected you.””
Daniel looked away.
“Yes.””
The silence afterward was unbearable.
Vanessa finally spoke.
“Emily, you need to hear the whole story.””
I looked at her.
The woman who had humiliated me in front of two hundred people.
The woman wearing my necklace.
The woman I thought was my enemy.
“Why should I believe anything you say?””
She nodded slowly.
“You shouldn’t.””
That surprised me.
She reached into her bag and placed a small flash drive on the desk.
“But you should watch what’s on this.””
Daniel immediately looked alarmed.
“Vanessa.””
She turned toward him.
“No more secrets.””
That sentence changed something.
Because Daniel didn’t argue.
He looked defeated.
I plugged the flash drive into my father’s old computer.
A video file appeared.
The date was three days before my father’s death.
I clicked play.
My father appeared on the screen.
Older.
Tired.
But still himself.
My eyes filled instantly.
“Emily,” he said in the recording.
“If you are watching this, I’m sorry.””
I covered my mouth.
His voice continued.
“I tried to protect you from something I created.””
I frowned.
Something he created?
My father looked directly into the camera.
“Years ago, I helped Daniel get his first major opportunity.””
Daniel looked down.
“I believed giving him a chance would make him a better man.””
The video paused for a second.
Then my father continued.
“But ambition changes people.””
I looked at Daniel.
He couldn’t meet my eyes.
My father explained that Daniel had discovered Richard’s illegal activities.
Instead of reporting him immediately, Daniel tried to use the information to gain control of the company.
He became trapped.
The deeper he went, the harder it became to escape.
Then came the final sentence.
“Emily, if Daniel is still beside you, it means one of two things.””
The room went silent.
“Either he is trying to protect you…”
My breath caught.
“Or he is waiting for the right moment to take everything from you.””
The video ended.
Nobody spoke.
Then my phone rang.
The number was unknown.
I answered.
A man’s voice came through.
“Emily Callahan?””
“Yes.””
“This is Detective Harris.””
My heart raced.
“Why are you calling me?””
There was a pause.
Then he said:
“Because we found new evidence about your father’s accident.””
I stood frozen.
“What evidence?””
The detective lowered his voice.
“We found the vehicle involved.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“That’s impossible. The car was destroyed.””
Another pause.
“Mrs. Callahan…”
The detective sounded uncomfortable.
“The vehicle wasn’t destroyed.””
I looked at Daniel.
“Then what happened to it?””
May you like
The answer came quietly.
“Someone hid it.””
