Chapter 6: The Secret Account
Dad took the envelope from my hand.
He read it twice.
Then he sat down on the edge of the bed.
For the first time that night, my father looked old.
“What does that mean?”” I asked.
He didn't answer.
Mom whispered, “John…”
He looked up.
“Did you know?””
She shook her head.
“Know what?””
“About the money.””
“I told you. It wasn't stolen.””
“Then where did it come from?””
Mom wiped her face.
“It belonged to me.””
Dad laughed bitterly.
“Two hundred thousand dollars just belonged to you?””
“Yes.””
“Then why did Ethan say you would lose everything if I found out?””
Mom looked away.
I stepped closer.
“Mom.””
She didn't respond.
“Look at me.””
She finally did.
“Why did you need the money?””
Her eyes filled again.
“I was trying to keep someone alive.””
Nobody spoke.
Chloe's face changed.
Dad stared at her.
“Who?””
Mom whispered:
“Your father.””
Dad frowned.
“My father died twelve years ago.””
“I know.””
“Then what are you talking about?””
Mom looked toward the floor.
“The money wasn't for him.””
Dad's voice dropped.
“Then who?””
Before she could answer, Lily's phone buzzed.
A new message.
Unknown number.
*DON'T TRUST YOUR FATHER.*
Lily showed us.
Dad stared at the screen.
“Who sent that?””
Another message arrived.
*ASK HIM ABOUT THE FIRE.*
Mom suddenly screamed.
“Delete it!””
Lily backed away.
Dad looked at his wife.
“What fire?””
“Nothing.””
“What fire?””
Mom's breathing became rapid.
“John, please.””
Dad stood.
“You've lied about the money. You've lied about Marcus. You've lied about Ethan.””
He pointed toward the phone.
“And now someone is telling my daughter to ask me about a fire.””
“I didn't want you to know.””
“Know what?””
Mom couldn't answer.
Chloe suddenly whispered:
“The house.””
Dad turned.
“What?””
“The old house.””
Mom grabbed Chloe's shoulder.
“Stop.””
Chloe shook her off.
“I'm tired of lying.””
Dad stared between them.
“What old house?””
Chloe looked at him.
“The one before this one.””
Dad's expression changed.
I had never heard about an old house.
Not once.
“What happened there?”” I asked.
Chloe swallowed.
“There was a fire.””
“When?””
“Twelve years ago.””
Dad went completely still.
I looked at him.
“Dad?””
He didn't respond.
“Dad, what happened?””
His eyes were fixed on Mom.
“You told me the fire was an accident.””
Mom whispered, “It was.””
“You told me nobody was hurt.””
“I thought nobody was.””
Dad took a step toward her.
“Who was inside?””
Mom began crying again.
“John…”
“Who was inside?””
She covered her face.
Chloe answered for her.
“Ethan.””
I felt the room tilt.
“What?””
Chloe looked at me.
“He was eight.””
Dad shook his head.
“No.””
“He survived.””
“No.””
“I saw him.””
Dad backed against the wall.
“You weren't even born yet.””
“I know.””
“Then how could you see him?””
Chloe's voice cracked.
“Because I was there too.””
Lily whispered, “Chloe…”
Chloe looked toward the locked bedroom.
“Ethan didn't discover Mom's secret last week.””
She pointed toward the envelope.
“He discovered it years ago.””
Dad's phone rang.
This time the caller ID wasn't Ethan.
It was a number none of us recognized.
Dad answered.
“Who is this?””
A man's voice came through.
“John?””
Dad's face drained of color.
The man continued.
“You should have asked your wife what happened the night your house burned.””
Dad tightened his grip on the phone.
“Who are you?””
A pause.
Then:
“I'm the reason Ethan survived.””
May you like
The call ended.
And immediately, someone knocked three times on the front door.
