Chapter 9: Daniel's Version of the Truth
Daniel walked into the study as if he owned the estate.
He didn't ask permission.
He didn't greet anyone.
He simply removed his expensive watch, placed it on the desk, and looked at the black notebook.
“Twenty years,” he said.
“And Eleanor still couldn't let things rest.””
Nathan stepped in front of me.
“You need to leave.””
Daniel smiled.
“Still playing the protective fiancé? How charming.””
“I'm not asking twice.””
Daniel ignored him.
He turned toward my mother.
“Margaret, you look terrible.””
Mom's hands shook.
“Get out.””
“After all these years? That's no way to welcome an old friend.””
“You're not my friend.””
Daniel sighed.
“That's unfortunate. I did so much for this family.””
I stepped forward.
“You stole from my father.””
His smile disappeared briefly.
Then he looked at me with an almost sympathetic expression.
“Your father was a difficult man, Emily. He had a habit of seeing enemies everywhere.””
“He discovered you were transferring money from the estate.””
“He discovered some accounting irregularities.””
“You mean theft?””
Daniel chuckled.
“Words matter. Your father understood that. Unfortunately, he became emotional when he realized how much money was involved.””
Nathan crossed his arms.
“Why are you here?””
Daniel reached into his jacket and removed a document.
“To prevent a misunderstanding.””
He placed it on the desk.
It was a copy of the property transfer agreement.
“Your grandmother's trust is complicated. The original documents contain several irregularities. If Emily attempts to exercise control over the estate, there will be litigation.””
Olivia picked up the paper.
“This isn't an authentic trust amendment.””
Daniel smiled.
“Are you qualified to make that determination?””
“I'm the representative responsible for Eleanor's original estate documents.””
“Then perhaps you should stick to fashion.””
Olivia didn't flinch.
“The original amendment was witnessed by two independent attorneys. Your name does not appear in the beneficiary schedule.””
Daniel's expression hardened.
“That's because Eleanor changed her mind.””
“After her death?””
A long silence followed.
Daniel looked at the papers.
Then at Chloe.
My sister was standing near the window, trembling.
He sighed.
“Chloe, darling, I thought we had an understanding.””
She swallowed.
“You said everything was legal.””
“It is.””
“You said I could cancel the agreement.””
“I said we would discuss it.””
“You promised to pay my debt!””
Daniel's expression changed.
“Lower your voice.””
Chloe stepped backward.
“No.””
He leaned toward her.
“You owe me more than you understand.””
I watched my sister's face.
The fear was no longer hidden.
Daniel had promised her a fortune, but now she looked like someone who had finally realized she'd handed her life to the wrong person.
I turned toward him.
“What happened to my father?””
Daniel's eyes moved to mine.
“Your father died of a cardiac event.””
“Why was the original hospital report changed?””
His expression remained calm.
“Medical records are often corrected.””
“Why were two pages removed?””
“Ask the hospital.””
“Why did you call my mother at 11:47?””
He glanced at Margaret.
“Because I was trying to help.””
Mom suddenly stood.
“Stop lying!””
Daniel's smile faded.
“Margaret, be careful.””
“You told me Richard was dead! You told me there was nothing anyone could do!””
“And you believed me.””
The room went silent.
I stared at my mother.
“What does that mean?””
Mom's knees seemed to weaken.
Daniel slowly turned toward me.
“Your mother has always had difficulty accepting responsibility.””
Nathan stepped closer.
“Enough. You need to leave.””
Daniel ignored him.
“Emily, there is something your grandmother never told you. Your father didn't just discover the missing money.””
He opened his briefcase.
“He discovered that Margaret had signed the original transfer documents.””
Mom shook her head.
“I didn't know what they were!””
Daniel placed a copy of the document on the desk.
“You signed here, Margaret. And here. And here.””
I looked at the signatures.
They matched my mother's handwriting.
She covered her face.
“Daniel said they were temporary loan documents.””
Daniel smiled.
“That's your explanation?””
Mom suddenly looked up.
“You told me Richard had approved them!””
“And you signed without checking.””
I turned toward her.
“Did Dad know?””
She didn't answer.
Daniel leaned back against the desk.
“Your father discovered everything. He intended to report both of us.””
“Both of you?””
“Yes.””
Mom's face drained of color.
Daniel continued.
“Your father wanted to protect his daughters. But he was also preparing to expose your mother's involvement.””
I felt sick.
“Did you kill him?””
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
“That's a very serious accusation.””
“Answer me!””
He looked at my mother.
“Ask Margaret why she didn't call an ambulance.””
Mom began sobbing.
“I didn't know he was alive!””
Daniel laughed softly.
“You didn't check.””
I stared at him.
Then I noticed something.
The black notebook was still open on the desk.
One page contained a handwritten entry dated the night of Dad's death.
Beside the time 11:47 p.m. was a sentence:
Second call received. Patient conscious. Transfer authorized by M.B.
I read it again.
Patient conscious.
Transfer authorized.
My father's name appeared beneath it.
I turned toward Mom.
“What's M.B.?””
She couldn't speak.
Daniel reached for the notebook.
Nathan caught his wrist.
“Don't touch it.””
Daniel's expression became cold.
“You have no idea what you're getting involved in.””
Nathan released his wrist.
“Then explain it.””
Daniel looked at me.
“Your father was alive at 11:47. He was transported to a private medical facility instead of the hospital. Your mother authorized the transfer.””
I felt the floor disappear beneath me.
“Why?””
Daniel glanced at Margaret.
“Because she thought he would survive.””
Mom suddenly screamed.
“YOU TOLD ME HE WAS ALREADY DEAD!””
Daniel's face went completely still.
For the first time, he looked genuinely uncomfortable.
I stepped toward him.
“Where was my father taken?””
He closed his briefcase.
“That's something you should ask your mother.””
Then he turned toward the door.
Nathan blocked his path.
“You're not leaving.””
Daniel reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded photograph.
He placed it on the desk.
It showed a hospital room.
A man lay in the bed, his face partially obscured by medical equipment.
But I recognized the wedding ring on his left hand.
It was the same silver ring my father had worn in every family photograph.
On the back of the picture was a handwritten date.
Six months after the night he supposedly died.
I stared at it.
“That's impossible.””
Daniel adjusted his jacket.
“Your grandmother knew where he was, Emily.””
I turned toward Olivia.
She looked as shocked as I felt.
Daniel continued.
“And if you want to know why she never brought him home, you should ask what happened the day she visited him.””
Mom collapsed into the chair.
Chloe began crying.
And then Daniel delivered the final blow.
“Your father didn't die that night.””
He looked directly into my eyes.
“He disappeared because someone in this family paid to keep him hidden.””
I turned toward my mother.
She whispered one sentence.
“Emily, I can explain why your father never came back.””
May you like
Then she looked at Chloe.
“And your sister was there the day we made the agreement.””
