Chapter 11: The Enemy Inside the Family
The emergency lights turned on seconds later.
But the person was gone.
The bank security team searched every hallway.
Nothing.
No footsteps.
No cameras.
No evidence.
Just another message left behind.
Written on the glass door.
*You’re looking in the wrong direction.*
My father stared at the words.
I knew what he was thinking.
The same thing I was.
Someone wanted us confused.
Someone wanted us chasing shadows.
But why?
Because while we searched for answers, they were still moving.
“We need to leave,” my father said.
I looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because this place isn’t safe.””
The fear in his voice bothered me.
My father was not a man who admitted danger.
Not unless it was real.
When we returned home, his security team checked every room.
Every window.
Every entrance.
Then one of them found something.
A small recording device.
Hidden beneath the desk in my father’s office.
I stared at it.
“How long?””
The security officer shook his head.
“We don’t know.””
My father looked furious.
“How long has someone been listening to me?””
Nobody answered.
That was the answer.
I walked into the office.
The same room where he opened the file.
The same room where he admitted knowing about the marriage discussions.
Suddenly, I wondered.
“Dad?””
He looked at me.
“What?””
“Did Richard know you found out?””
My father became still.
“Yes.””
“How?””
He didn’t answer.
I looked around.
Then at the device.
“He was listening.””
My father nodded slowly.
“Probably.””
I sat down.
The person who betrayed us wasn’t outside the family.
They were inside the walls.
That evening, Patricia came back.
But she wasn’t alone.
She brought Ethan.
For the first time since the wedding night, I saw him standing in front of me.
Alive.
Safe.
And completely broken.
Neither of us spoke.
Then he said:
“I’m sorry.””
Two words.
Simple.
But they carried everything.
I looked at him.
“I don’t know what to do with that.””
He nodded.
“I know.””
“You hurt me.””
“I know.””
“You made me feel worthless.””
His eyes dropped.
“I know.””
I waited for excuses.
There were none.
That surprised me.
“I was scared,” he finally said.
I looked away.
“Fear doesn’t excuse cruelty.””
“I know.””
The answer made my anger weaken slightly.
Not disappear.
Just weaken.
My father interrupted.
“Enough emotions. We need answers.””
Ethan nodded.
“Richard isn’t working alone.””
I looked at him.
“Who else?””
He hesitated.
My father noticed.
“Say it.””
Ethan looked at me.
Then quietly said:
“Someone in your father’s company.””
“That’s not new.””
“No.””
He shook his head.
“It’s someone much closer.””
My father stepped forward.
“Who?””
Ethan reached into his jacket.
He pulled out a photograph.
A group photo from my wedding.
Everyone was smiling.
Everyone looked happy.
He pointed at one person.
My father.
My sister.
Patricia.
Me.
Then someone standing behind us.
Someone I hadn’t noticed before.
My father took the photo.
His face changed.
“No.””
I looked at him.
“Who is it?””
He whispered:
“My assistant.””
I frowned.
“The person who works for you?””
He nodded.
“Daniel has been with me for fifteen years.””
Ethan looked at him.
“He’s been feeding Richard information.””
My father shook his head.
“That’s impossible.””
Ethan’s voice was quiet.
“It’s not.””
He handed him a folder.
Inside were copies of private documents.
Documents only Daniel had access to.
My father slowly sat down.
For years, he trusted this person.
For years, he believed he had someone loyal beside him.
Then his phone rang.
Daniel.
Everyone looked at the screen.
My father answered.
“Where are you?””
Silence.
Then Daniel’s voice.
“Sir.””
My father’s expression hardened.
“What did you do?””
Another silence.
Then:
“I’m sorry.””
The call ended.
A message appeared seconds later.
A location.
And one sentence.
*Come alone if you want your daughter back.*
My blood turned cold.
“My daughter?””
My father looked at me.
Then at the message.
Because everyone in the room understood.
May you like
They weren’t talking about me.
They were talking about Emma.
