Chapter 6: My Father’s Hidden Promise
Nobody moved.
The man’s words hung in the air like smoke.
My father.
The person who raised me.
The person who stayed beside me when I lost my mother.
The person who had always told me the truth mattered.
And now a stranger was standing in my house saying my mother was afraid of him.
“No.””
The word escaped my mouth before I even realized I said it.
The lawyer looked at me with sadness.
“I know this is difficult.””
“You don’t know anything about me.””
He nodded.
“You’re right.””
He looked at the envelope.
“But I know your mother.””
My dad stepped forward.
“Leave.””
The lawyer didn’t move.
“Michael, you know I can’t.””
My dad’s face changed.
“You have no right to come into this house.””
“I have every right. Elena hired me before she passed away.””
My hands trembled.
“Why?””
The lawyer looked at me.
“Because she believed the truth would eventually find you.””
He handed me the envelope.
I opened it.
Inside was a letter.
My mother’s handwriting.
Again.
But this time, the first line made my heart stop.
*Emily, if you are reading this, it means I was right to be afraid.*
I looked at Dad.
He looked away.
I began reading.
*Your father loves you. Never doubt that.*
I stopped.
The lawyer watched me.
My father looked confused.
The letter continued.
*But love does not always mean someone cannot hurt you.*
My breathing became shallow.
*There are things Michael has kept from you. Things he believes he hid to protect you.*
Dad whispered:
“Emily…”
I kept reading.
*Years ago, after my diagnosis, I discovered that someone had been using my designs without permission. Someone close to our family.*
My eyes moved faster.
*I thought I knew who it was. I was wrong.*
I looked up.
“What does this mean?””
Nobody answered.
The lawyer spoke.
“Elena discovered financial records.””
Dad’s face hardened.
“Stop.””
The lawyer ignored him.
“She discovered money missing from her company.””
My heart sank.
“My mother’s company?””
The lawyer nodded.
“Before she died, Elena believed someone had been stealing from her.””
I looked at Dad.
“Was it you?””
His face broke.
“No.””
The answer came instantly.
But something was wrong.
Because he looked guilty.
Not guilty of stealing.
Guilty of something else.
The lawyer continued.
“Elena asked Michael to investigate.””
I frowned.
“Then why didn’t he tell me?””
Dad looked down.
“Because…”
His voice cracked.
“Because I found out who it was.””
The room went silent.
“Who?””
He closed his eyes.
“I promised your mother I would never tell you.””
My heart pounded.
“Who was it?””
He didn’t answer.
The lawyer did.
“Victoria.””
I looked toward the woman who had once been my stepmother.
Except she wasn’t there.
She had disappeared.
“When did she leave?”” Dad asked suddenly.
Nobody knew.
The lawyer looked toward the stairs.
“She knew we were coming.””
My blood turned cold.
“What?””
The lawyer grabbed his briefcase.
“We need to find her.””
Dad looked at the letter again.
“Emily…”
I looked at him.
“I’m sorry.””
The apology hurt more than any lie.
“Sorry for what?””
He swallowed.
“For keeping the truth from you.””
A noise came from upstairs.
A crash.
Everyone froze.
Then another sound.
A drawer opening.
The lawyer whispered:
“She’s still here.””
Dad ran upstairs.
We followed.
My bedroom door was open.
The dress was gone.
The floor was empty.
Except for one thing.
A single pearl from the gown.
And beneath it…
A note.
My hands shook as I picked it up.
There was only one sentence.
Written in Victoria’s handwriting.
*If you want to know why Elena died, come find me.*
I looked at my father.
He looked terrified.
Because beneath the sentence was another line.
May you like
One that none of us expected.
*Ask Michael what happened the night he left your mother alone.*
