Chapter 8: The File My Father Hid
Daniel Brooks’ office was only twenty minutes away.
But the drive felt endless.
Every traffic light felt like an obstacle.
Every second felt like someone else was moving pieces on a board I couldn’t see.
When I arrived, the office building looked exactly the same as always.
Clean.
Professional.
Safe.
That almost made me laugh.
Because nothing felt safe anymore.
I walked through the lobby.
The receptionist smiled.
“Mr. Miller, Mr. Brooks is expecting you.””
I stopped.
“He is?””
She nodded.
“He said you would come after receiving the email.””
My jaw tightened.
Of course he knew.
Everyone knew.
Everyone except me.
I walked into Daniel’s office without knocking.
He was sitting behind his desk.
Calm.
Relaxed.
Like he hadn’t just been caught breaking into my office.
“James.””
I stared at him.
“You know why I’m here.””
Daniel leaned back.
“I was hoping we could avoid this.””
“Then why did you go through my things?””
His expression didn’t change.
“I was protecting your father’s wishes.””
I laughed.
“You expect me to believe that?””
Daniel folded his hands.
“Your father was a careful man.””
“My father trusted you.””
“Yes.””
“And you betrayed him.””
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“That’s what you believe?””
I placed the flash drive on his desk.
The color drained from his face.
For the first time, Daniel looked afraid.
“What is that?””
“You tell me.””
He stared at it.
Then looked at me.
“Where did you get that?””
“Inside my safe.””
Silence.
Then Daniel stood.
“James, you need to understand something.””
“No.””
I raised my hand.
“I’ve spent my entire life listening to people tell me what I need to understand.””
I stepped closer.
“Now you’re going to understand something.””
His expression hardened.
“What?””
“I’m done being the last person to know the truth.””
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Daniel slowly sat back down.
“Your father knew there would be problems.””
“Problems caused by who?””
Daniel looked at me.
“People close to you.””
The answer felt familiar.
Too familiar.
“My wife?””
“Possibly.””
“My brother?””
Daniel looked away.
That was enough.
“Both?””
He sighed.
“Your father suspected someone would attempt to manipulate the inheritance.””
“Then why didn’t he tell me?””
“Because he didn’t know who.””
I looked at the flash drive.
“What’s on this?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
That scared me more than anything.
“You’re afraid of it.””
“No.””
“Yes, you are.””
I picked up the drive.
“I’m opening this.””
Daniel stood quickly.
“James, don’t.””
That reaction told me everything.
I left.
I didn’t go home.
I went to a private café and opened the files on my laptop.
There were videos.
Documents.
Emails.
Then I found a recording.
My father’s voice filled the room.
My hands froze.
“James, if you are watching this, it means I was right.””
I stopped breathing.
My father continued.
“I knew people would try to control what belonged to you.””
The recording continued.
“I also knew the person helping them would be someone you trusted.””
I looked around the café.
Suddenly, I felt like everyone was watching me.
Then my father said something that made my blood run cold.
“The person who will betray you first is not the person you suspect.””
I leaned closer.
The recording ended with one final sentence.
“The biggest danger to you is the person who believes they deserve your life.””
The screen went black.
Then a new file appeared.
A file I had never seen before.
May you like
Its name was:
*SARAH MILLER.*
