Chapter 14: The Last Move
The name echoed in my head.
I couldn’t accept it.
I didn’t want to.
Because some betrayals are easier to understand when they come from enemies.
Not friends.
Not family.
Not someone who stood beside you while pretending to protect you.
“Say it again.””
My mother looked at me.
“I’m sorry.””
“No.””
My voice cracked.
“Say the name.””
She whispered:
“Rachel’s fiancé.””
The room went silent.
I blinked.
“What?””
Marcus looked at his phone.
“I’m checking.””
I stared at my mother.
“Rachel’s fiancé helped Richard?””
She nodded.
“I didn’t know at first.””
“How long?””
Her face changed.
“Before their engagement.””
I felt sick.
Rachel had spent years trying to protect me.
And the person she loved had betrayed her.
Marcus looked up from his phone.
“His phone is off.””
My mother closed her eyes.
“That means he knows.””
“Who is he?”” I asked.
Marcus answered.
“Daniel Brooks.””
The name meant nothing to me.
But my mother’s expression told me everything.
“He was the one who introduced Richard to your family.””
My blood froze.
“What?””
My mother nodded.
“Daniel knew about the inheritance before Richard did.””
Marcus looked at me.
“That’s the missing piece.””
I thought about everything.
The trust.
The marriage.
The custody plan.
The cameras.
Richard wasn’t the mastermind.
He was a tool.
A man who thought he was the villain in control.
But someone else had been moving pieces around him.
My phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone froze.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A man’s voice.
Calm.
Confident.
“Emily.””
I felt my stomach drop.
Daniel.
“Where is Rachel?””
A pause.
Then a quiet laugh.
“You always were direct.””
“Where is she?””
“She’s safe.””
I looked at Marcus.
He shook his head.
Don’t believe him.
“Let me talk to her.””
Another pause.
Then Rachel’s voice came through.
“Emily?””
My knees almost gave out.
“Rachel!””
“I’m okay.””
She sounded tired.
But alive.
“Where are you?””
“I can’t tell you.””
“Why?””
Rachel was quiet.
Then whispered:
“Because he’s listening.””
A click.
The line changed.
Daniel came back.
“Your sister always was stubborn.””
I gripped the phone.
“If you hurt her—”
“I don’t want to hurt anyone.””
“Then let her go.””
“I can’t.””
“Why?””
Daniel sighed.
“Because everyone keeps forgetting one thing.””
“What?””
“The inheritance was never just money.””
Marcus leaned closer.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel laughed softly.
“You should ask your grandmother.””
My heart stopped.
“My grandmother is dead.””
“Yes.””
A pause.
“But she left instructions.””
My hand tightened around the phone.
“What instructions?””
Daniel answered:
“She knew someone would try to take everything.””
Marcus looked at me.
Daniel continued.
“She created one final condition.””
“What condition?””
“If Richard, or anyone working with him, attempted fraud…”
He paused.
“Ownership would transfer.””
“To who?””
Silence.
Then:
“The person who protected Emily.””
My breath caught.
Rachel.
My grandmother had planned for this.
She knew Rachel would fight.
She knew Rachel would protect me.
Daniel spoke again.
“And that’s why I need Rachel.””
I felt cold.
“You’re trying to force her to sign.””
“Yes.””
“No.””
Daniel’s voice stayed calm.
“She’s the only person who can unlock the final documents.””
Marcus grabbed a pen and wrote something.
I looked.
*Keep him talking.*
I nodded.
“Daniel.””
“Yes?””
“You made one mistake.””
“What?””
“You assumed Rachel would betray me.””
Silence.
Then Daniel laughed.
“And what makes you think she didn’t?””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
He said nothing.
Then the call ended.
A message arrived seconds later.
A photo.
Rachel sitting at a table.
And beside her…
Was a signed document.
My blood ran cold.
Because Rachel was holding a pen.
May you like
And below the picture was one sentence:
*Your sister already chose.*
