Chapter 14: Sarah’s Final Choice
I read the name again.
And again.
My own name stared back at me.
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Michael whispered:
“What does that mean?””
I couldn’t answer.
Because I didn’t know.
Or maybe I didn’t want to know.
My father sat down slowly.
“She wanted you to see that page.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because Sarah knew the truth would hurt you.””
I held the journal.
“Explain.””
My father looked exhausted.
“She discovered someone had created documents making it appear you were responsible for financial decisions you never approved.””
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Framing him.””
“Yes.””
I looked at the journal again.
“She wrote my name because someone used my identity.””
My father nodded.
“But there’s more.””
I turned the page.
Sarah’s handwriting continued.
Ethan, if you found this page, it means they tried to make you believe you were the problem.
They will tell you that you were careless.
They will tell you that you trusted the wrong people.
They will tell you the company failed because of you.
My eyes blurred.
Because Sarah knew exactly what would hurt me.
Then came the sentence that changed everything.
But the truth is, you were the only person they could never control.
I stopped.
Michael looked at me.
“What?””
I showed them the page.
Sarah continued:
The reason they are afraid of you is not because you own the company.
It is because you remember why we built it.
I closed my eyes.
Sarah.
Even now, she was reminding me who I was.
Not a billionaire.
Not an owner.
A husband.
A father.
A person.
Daniel looked through the journal.
“There’s something else.””
He pointed.
A date.
The day before Sarah died.
Beside it was a name.
Rachel.
I looked up.
“Rachel met Sarah that day?””
My father nodded.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He hesitated.
“Because Rachel knew the final piece.””
“What piece?””
My father looked at Lily.
“The reason Sarah changed her will.””
I felt cold.
“She changed it because of Lily.””
“Yes.””
“Everyone knew?””
“No.””
“Who knew?””
My father’s eyes moved to the journal.
“Only Sarah.””
A noise came from upstairs.
Everyone stopped.
Footsteps.
Someone running.
Daniel immediately moved.
“Stay here.””
We followed anyway.
At the end of the hallway, a bedroom door was open.
Inside, drawers were pulled out.
Someone had been searching.
Michael looked around.
“They were looking for something.””
I held up the journal.
“They were looking for this.””
Then I noticed something.
A piece of paper on the floor.
A photograph.
It showed Sarah.
Me.
Lily.
And another person.
Someone standing behind us.
Someone who had been part of our lives.
I picked it up.
The back contained a message.
*SHE NEVER TOLD YOU BECAUSE SHE KNEW YOU WOULD FORGIVE THEM.*
I stared at the words.
“Who wrote this?””
Nobody answered.
Then my phone rang.
Rachel.
I answered immediately.
“Where are you?””
Her voice was shaking.
“Ethan, I’m sorry.””
“Why is your name on Sarah’s documents?””
Silence.
Then:
“Because Sarah asked me to put it there.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
“She wanted someone to find it.””
“Why?””
Rachel cried softly.
“Because she knew the person behind everything would come after Lily.””
I looked at Lily.
“Who?””
Rachel whispered:
“Ethan…”
Her voice broke.
“You need to hear this from me.””
I waited.
“The person who betrayed Sarah…”
A pause.
“The person who changed her medical records…”
Another pause.
“The person who tried to take Lily’s inheritance…”
I held my breath.
May you like
Rachel finished:
“Was Sarah’s doctor.””
