Chapter 7: The Engagement Was Never an Accident

Richard drove.

I sat in the passenger seat, gripping my phone while repeatedly calling Emily. Every call went unanswered.

The sky above Nashville had turned dark, and rain tapped against the windshield.

“Do you think Daniel knows?”” I finally asked.

Richard kept his eyes on the road.

“I don't know.””

“You're his father.””

“Which is precisely why I don't want to make assumptions.””

I turned toward him.

“Your company appeared in those emails. Someone used an old subsidiary to move money from my father's trust. Your son's name is connected to a letter written before he even met my sister.””

Richard tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

“Sarah, I built Bennett Industrial Holdings over thirty years. We've acquired dozens of companies. Some records are older than Daniel.””

“But you recognize the name Bennett Strategic Services?””

He was silent for several seconds.

“Yes.””

“What was it?””

“A consulting company we used during an overseas expansion. It was dissolved twelve years ago after an internal audit.””

“Was money missing?””

Richard nodded.

“Almost $1.4 million. We suspected an employee had created false invoices, but the investigation never established who was responsible.””

I stared through the windshield.

“Did you ever recover the money?””

“No.””

A terrible thought entered my mind.

“Could the same person have been involved with my father's estate?””

Richard didn't answer.

We turned onto my mother's street.

Her house stood at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac. It was a large brick home with white columns, an immaculate lawn, and the American flag Dad had installed beside the front porch.

The house looked exactly as it had when I was growing up.

But something about it felt unfamiliar now.

Richard parked behind my McLaren.

I jumped out before the engine stopped.

“Emily!””

The front door was unlocked.

I pushed it open.

“Emily?””

A lamp had fallen in the living room. One of the sofa cushions was on the floor, and a broken picture frame lay beside the coffee table.

I recognized the photograph.

Dad, Mom, Emily, and me at the beach.

The glass had shattered directly across my father's face.

“Emily!”” I shouted again.

Richard checked the hallway.

“Sarah, call her.””

I did.

This time, the call connected.

A faint whisper came through.

“Sarah?””

“Where are you?””

“In Dad's study.””

“Are you alone?””

A pause.

Then Emily whispered, “No.””

My stomach dropped.

“Who is with you?””

Before she could answer, the study door opened.

Mom appeared.

She held Emily's phone in one hand.

“That's enough,” she said.

Emily stood behind her, crying.

I stepped forward.

“Give her the phone.””

Mom looked at Richard.

“Mr. Bennett, I think you've involved yourself in a family matter that doesn't concern you.””

Richard's expression hardened.

“Your family matter appears to involve my company, my son's engagement, and millions of dollars transferred through fraudulent accounts.””

Mom's face tightened.

“You have no proof.””

I pointed toward Emily.

“Let her come with me.””

“She is my daughter.””

“And I'm her sister.””

Mom laughed without humor.

“That's never stopped you from trying to control her.””

Emily suddenly stepped around her.

“Mom, stop!””

Mom grabbed her arm.

“Go upstairs.””

“No!””

It was the first time I'd heard Emily openly defy her.

Mom released her.

Emily hurried toward me.

“Sarah, I found the letter.””

“Where is it?””

“In Dad's desk.””

Mom immediately stepped forward.

“Don't touch anything in that study.””

Richard moved between them.

“Patricia, I suggest you allow us to see the document.””

Mom's voice became icy.

“You have no authority here.””

Richard nodded.

“Then we'll let the authorities determine what should happen next.””

He pulled out his phone.

Mom's expression changed.

“Don't.””

“Why?””

“Because you don't understand what you're getting involved in.””

I stared at her.

“Then explain it.””

She looked at me for a long moment.

Then she said something I never expected.

“Your father knew the Bennetts long before you did.””

Richard froze.

“What are you talking about?””

Mom looked directly at him.

“Ask your son what happened in Chicago twelve years ago.””

Richard's face changed.

“What happened in Chicago?””

Mom didn't answer.

Instead, she walked into the study and pulled open the bottom drawer of Dad's wooden desk.

She removed a brown envelope.

Then she held it against her chest.

“This is what you want?””

Emily nodded.

“Give it to Sarah.””

Mom smiled sadly.

“Your father left this for you, Emily. Not your sister.””

I stepped closer.

“Why would Dad leave Emily a letter about Daniel before they met?””

Mom looked at Richard.

Then back at me.

“Because Daniel wasn't supposed to marry Emily.””

Nobody moved.

Richard's voice became dangerously quiet.

“Patricia. Explain yourself.””

Mom opened the envelope.

Inside was a photograph.

A younger Daniel stood beside a man in a hospital corridor.

The man was my father.

And beneath the photograph was a handwritten note.

*To Patricia: If Richard ever discovers what happened in Chicago, the entire Bennett family will lose everything.*

Richard stared at the photograph.

Then he whispered:

“That's impossible.””

I looked at him.

“Why?””

He slowly lowered his eyes.

“Because that man standing beside Daniel isn't just someone I recognize.””

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He swallowed.

“That's my brother.””