Chapter 14: The Night Everything Changed
I looked at Daniel.
“No.””
The word came out before I could stop it.
Daniel didn’t defend himself.
That scared me more.
“Were you there?””
His silence lasted only seconds.
But it felt like years.
“Yes.””
My heart broke.
“When?””
“The night your mother died.””
I stepped back.
“You told me you didn’t know.””
“I said I didn’t know the full truth.””
“That’s not what I asked.””
Daniel looked devastated.
“I was there.””
The room felt like it was spinning.
Michael closed his eyes.
Victoria looked away.
Everyone knew except me.
Everyone.
I felt the old pain return.
The same pain from childhood.
The feeling of being the only person who didn’t know what was happening in her own life.
“Tell me.””
Daniel nodded slowly.
“I received a call from Eleanor.””
“Why?””
“She told me she found proof against my father.””
I looked at the notebook.
“She wanted to meet.””
“Where?””
“The old Bellavita building.””
My breath caught.
“The restaurant.””
“Yes.””
The same place where everything had started.
“What happened?””
Daniel swallowed.
“When I arrived, Eleanor was already there.””
“And?””
“She wasn’t alone.””
The room became quiet.
“Who was with her?””
Daniel looked at Richard.
“Your father.””
I turned toward Michael.
His face changed.
“I was there?””
Daniel nodded.
“You arrived after me.””
Michael looked confused.
“I don’t remember.””
“You were unconscious.””
“What?””
Daniel continued.
“Someone attacked you outside.””
My hand covered my mouth.
“And my mother?””
Daniel looked down.
“She found out you were hurt.””
I whispered:
“She tried to save him.””
“Yes.””
“What happened next?””
Daniel’s voice became softer.
“She told me to take both of you away.””
“Both?””
“You and Michael.””
I stared.
“Then why didn’t you?””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“Because before I could, the building caught fire.””
Everyone went silent.
“The official story was that it was an accident.””
“But?””
Daniel looked at me.
“It wasn’t.””
I felt sick.
“Who started it?””
Nobody answered.
Then Michael whispered:
“Victoria?””
Everyone turned.
Victoria looked shocked.
“No.””
Daniel shook his head.
“No.””
He looked at Richard.
“Your father.””
Richard laughed bitterly.
“Careful.””
The police had him surrounded now.
“You’re blaming a dead man.””
Daniel stared at him.
“I’m blaming the man who ordered you.””
Richard’s smile disappeared.
That was the reaction everyone noticed.
Victoria stepped closer.
“You weren’t working alone.””
Richard said nothing.
The police officer moved forward.
“Richard Hayes, you are under arrest.””
As they placed handcuffs on him, he looked at me.
“You think you know the truth now?””
I didn’t answer.
“You don’t.””
The officer pushed him toward the door.
But Richard stopped.
“There’s one thing your mother never discovered.””
I stared.
“What?””
He smiled.
“She didn’t die trying to expose corruption.””
A pause.
“She died because she found out who your real family was.””
The door closed behind him.
Nobody spoke.
Then Michael slowly looked at me.
“Sarah.””
I turned.
“What?””
His eyes filled with sadness.
“There’s something else your mother hid.””
I felt exhausted.
“What now?””
He reached into his pocket.
And pulled out a small envelope.
“My mother gave me this before everything happened.””
I stared.
“Your mother?””
He nodded.
“Victoria wasn’t the only person Eleanor trusted.””
He handed it to me.
On the front was my name.
Again.
But this time, beneath it, were four words.
*Open after the truth.*
I opened it.
Inside was one final letter.
May you like
And the first line made my blood stop.
Sarah, there is something about your birth that I never told you.
