Chapter 4: The Secret Behind the Video
"Your father is alive.""
Vanessa said it as though she were announcing the weather.
I stared at her, unable to process the words.
My father, Robert Mitchell, had supposedly died three years ago after suffering complications from a heart condition. My mother had handled the funeral arrangements. Ethan had helped me choose the flowers. Daniel had held my hand while I cried beside the casket.
I remembered the black suit I had worn.
I remembered the pastor's trembling voice.
I remembered lowering my head as the coffin disappeared beneath the ground.
And now Vanessa was showing me a video of the man sitting across from my mother eleven days earlier.
"Where did you get that footage?"" I demanded.
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"Does it matter?""
"Yes, it matters!""
"Maybe you should ask your mother why she's been meeting a supposedly dead man.""
Daniel stepped closer.
"Vanessa, stop playing games. Tell us where that video came from.""
She tilted her head.
"You're still defending her?""
"I'm asking you a question.""
Vanessa's lips tightened.
"I hired someone to investigate Emily. After what I discovered, I thought you deserved to know.""
I looked at her in disbelief.
"You hired someone to follow my family?""
"I was trying to protect you, Daniel.""
"By sending me manipulated videos?"" he snapped.
Vanessa's expression hardened.
"You don't understand. Emily has spent years making everyone believe she's innocent.""
Michael stepped between us.
"Careful. You're getting very close to making accusations you can't support.""
Vanessa laughed.
"Then perhaps Emily should explain why she visited Ethan's apartment the night before he died.""
My throat tightened.
"I visited my brother because he was my brother.""
"At midnight?""
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because he called me.""
Vanessa's eyes widened slightly.
"Interesting.""
I looked at her.
"What's interesting?""
She opened her handbag and removed a folded document.
"I found this in Ethan's old apartment. It's a copy of a message he sent someone the night he died.""
She placed it on the table.
Daniel picked it up.
The message was short.
I know what Dad did. Emily knows too. We need to talk before someone gets hurt.
My hands began trembling.
Michael grabbed the paper.
"Where did you get this?""
"From Ethan's apartment.""
"That apartment was cleared out three years ago.""
"Apparently, not everything.""
Michael stared at her.
Then he looked at me.
"Emily, did Ethan ever tell you anything about Dad?""
I shook my head.
"He was upset about something, but he wouldn't explain.""
Vanessa smiled.
"Because she already knew.""
I slapped my palm against the table.
"Stop saying that!""
The room went silent.
I turned toward Daniel.
"I don't know what Vanessa is trying to prove, but I swear I never knew anything about Dad being alive.""
Daniel nodded slowly.
"I believe you.""
Vanessa's face twisted.
"Of course you do.""
Daniel didn't look at her.
"Because I know Emily.""
For a moment, I wanted to cry.
Then Jessica approached me.
"Emily, there's something I should tell you.""
I turned.
"What?""
Jessica looked toward Vanessa before lowering her voice.
"She didn't just send Daniel that video last night. She showed me something yesterday afternoon.""
"What?""
"A photograph of Ethan standing outside a house.""
My heart began pounding.
"Where?""
"An address in Savannah. Vanessa said Ethan had been living there under another name.""
I gripped Jessica's arm.
"Did she tell you when the photograph was taken?""
Jessica shook her head.
"No. But she said she had proof he was alive after his funeral.""
Michael immediately took out his phone.
"Give me the address.""
Jessica wrote it on a napkin.
I recognized the street.
It was the same neighborhood where my father had grown up.
Before Michael could make a call, my phone rang.
MOM.
I answered immediately.
"Mom?""
Her voice sounded strained.
"Emily, where are you?""
"At the hotel. What's wrong?""
"Listen carefully. Don't let Vanessa leave with that phone.""
I looked at Vanessa.
"How do you know about the phone?""
My mother went quiet.
Then she whispered:
"Because that footage is real.""
My knees nearly gave way.
"Mom, what are you saying?""
"Your father is alive, sweetheart.""
I closed my eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
A shaky breath came through the speaker.
"Because I promised Ethan I would keep you safe.""
I stared at Michael.
He had heard everything.
"What does Ethan have to do with this?""
My mother's voice cracked.
"Emily, your brother didn't die in that accident.""
The phone slipped slightly in my hand.
"What?""
Before she could explain, I heard a loud crash on her end.
Then a man's voice shouted something.
May you like
My mother screamed.
And the call disconnected.
