Chapter 8: The Person Behind the Smile
I didn’t sleep.
Not that night.
Not after seeing the photograph.
Someone had followed my daughter.
Someone had been close enough to take a picture of her while she slept.
The anger came before fear.
A father’s anger.
The kind that makes everything else disappear.
Daniel noticed.
“Ethan.””
I looked at him.
“We need to be careful.””
“Careful?””
My voice was quiet.
“Someone threatened my child.””
“I know.””
“No.””
I held up the photograph.
“You don’t.””
Nobody answered.
Lily was sleeping in the hotel suite now, protected by security Daniel arranged.
But I stayed beside her.
Watching her breathe.
Watching her hold that old stuffed rabbit.
The world could take almost anything from me.
But not her.
Michael entered the room slowly.
“I found something.””
I looked up.
“What?””
He placed a phone on the table.
“It was my father’s old assistant’s phone number.””
I frowned.
“Why do you have it?””
“Because Sarah called her the week before she died.””
I stared at him.
“Who?””
Michael hesitated.
“Emily Carter.””
The name meant nothing.
Daniel, however, reacted immediately.
“Emily?””
I turned.
“You know her?””
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“She was Sarah’s personal assistant.””
I felt my chest tighten.
Another person.
Another secret.
“Why didn’t I know she was still involved?””
Daniel looked down.
“Because she left after Sarah died.””
“Why?””
He didn’t answer.
That was becoming a habit.
“Daniel.””
He sighed.
“She blamed herself.””
“For what?””
Before Daniel could respond, the phone on the table rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone became silent.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman’s voice came through.
“Ethan?””
“Emily?””
A long pause.
“Yes.””
I stood.
“Where are you?””
“Somewhere safe.””
“Why did Sarah call you?””
Emily’s voice shook.
“Because she knew.””
“Knew what?””
“That Victor wasn’t acting alone.””
I looked at Michael.
“Who was helping him?””
Emily didn’t answer immediately.
Then she whispered:
“Someone you invited into your home.””
My blood ran cold.
“Who?””
The line crackled.
“Ethan, listen carefully. Sarah didn’t hide the truth because she didn’t trust you.””
“Then why?””
“Because she was trying to protect you from the person closest to your family.””
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“Tell me the name.””
A sound came from the other end.
Like someone had entered the room.
Emily gasped.
“No.””
“What?””
“Ethan, I have to go.””
“Emily!””
The call ended.
I immediately called back.
No answer.
Daniel looked at me.
“We need to find her.””
“Yes.””
Michael stood.
“I know where she might be.””
I looked at him.
“You’re finally going to start talking?””
His expression changed.
“I deserve that.””
He took a breath.
“After Sarah died, Emily disappeared because she found something.””
“What?””
“She found a second account.””
Daniel frowned.
“Another hidden account?””
Michael nodded.
“But it wasn’t Victor’s.””
The room went quiet.
“Whose was it?””
Michael looked at me.
“That’s the problem.””
He swallowed.
“The account belonged to someone who had access to Sarah’s private medical records.””
I felt sick.
“Why would a financial account need medical records?””
Nobody answered.
Because everyone understood.
This wasn’t just about stealing money.
It was about Sarah.
About the final days of her life.
About secrets she carried alone.
My phone buzzed.
A message.
From Emily.
Only three words.
*DON’T TRUST DANIEL.*
I looked up.
Daniel saw my expression.
“What happened?””
I didn’t answer.
Because suddenly, the room felt smaller.
Daniel had been with me all night.
Helping me.
Protecting Lily.
Giving me information.
But Sarah’s warning came back.
Do not trust anyone who tells you the company is too big to fail.
I locked my phone.
Nobody spoke.
Then Daniel’s own phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His face changed.
“What is it?”” I asked.
He slowly turned the phone toward me.
The caller ID was visible.
*Emily Carter.*
Daniel answered.
“Emily?””
A woman’s terrified voice came through the speaker.
“Daniel…”
Everyone froze.
“You need to listen to me.””
Daniel stood still.
“Where are you?””
A pause.
Then Emily whispered:
“I’m looking at the person who betrayed Sarah.””
Daniel’s eyes widened.
“Who?””
The call went silent.
May you like
Then Emily said one final sentence.
“The person standing next to you.””
