Chapter 9: The Sister Who Was Never Mentioned
The name on the screen felt impossible.
*LILY.*
I stared at it.
My mother’s face had gone completely white.
Not confused.
Not surprised.
Terrified.
“Mom?””
She didn’t answer.
“Who is Lily?””
My mother slowly lowered herself into a chair.
For the first time since she returned, she looked like she wasn’t the woman with answers.
She looked like someone who had just opened a door she spent years trying to keep closed.
“My sister.””
The room went silent.
I looked around.
Everyone reacted differently.
My grandfather looked down.
My father looked shocked.
Even Vanessa seemed uncomfortable.
“You have a sister?”” I asked.
My mother nodded.
“I did.””
The way she said it made my stomach tighten.
“What does that mean?””
Angela looked at the photograph again.
“I haven’t seen Lily in twenty years.””
Thomas stepped closer.
“The person who sent this knew exactly what they were doing.””
My mother looked at him.
“Lily wouldn’t hurt Maya.””
Nobody spoke.
Then my grandfather quietly said:
“You don’t know that.””
My mother turned sharply.
“What?””
He looked ashamed.
“You don’t know what she became.””
My mother stood.
“Don’t.””
“I’m telling the truth.””
“No.””
Her voice broke.
“You don’t get to rewrite another person’s story.””
My grandfather looked away.
“I watched what happened.””
I looked between them.
“Someone please explain.””
My mother took a deep breath.
“Lily and I were close when we were young.””
She looked at the photograph.
“She was the person who taught me how to stand up for myself.””
A small smile appeared.
“She was the brave one.””
“Then what happened?””
My mother’s smile disappeared.
“She fell in love with Richard Hale.””
Everyone froze.
Thomas immediately looked at the files.
“Richard?””
My mother nodded.
“Before he became my husband’s business partner, before everything went wrong, Lily was with him.””
My father looked stunned.
“You never told me.””
“Because you never asked.””
The words cut.
My father looked down.
My mother continued.
“When Richard started changing, Lily saw things she shouldn’t have seen.””
“What things?””
“His illegal deals. His manipulation. His plans.””
Thomas frowned.
“Then why would she help him?””
My mother shook her head.
“She wouldn’t.””
My grandfather spoke quietly.
“She might have.””
My mother looked at him.
“Dad.””
“I found her after the crash.””
Everyone turned.
“What?””
My grandfather swallowed.
“She was there.””
My mother froze.
“Lily was there?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because she was the one who called Richard.””
The room went silent.
I felt like the floor had disappeared.
“No.””
My mother shook her head.
“No, that doesn’t make sense.””
My grandfather looked at her.
“She told him where you were.””
My mother stepped back.
“Why?””
Nobody answered.
Then the computer made a sound.
The corrupted file had changed.
Thomas turned.
“The second part opened.””
Everyone rushed toward the screen.
A new video appeared.
This time, it wasn’t my mother.
It was a woman I had never seen.
But somehow, I recognized her.
Because she had my mother’s eyes.
Lily.
She sat in front of the camera.
Older.
Tired.
Broken.
“If Maya is watching this,” Lily said, “then I know I failed.””
My mother covered her mouth.
Lily continued.
“Angela, if you’re there, I’m sorry.””
My mother whispered:
“Lily…”
The recording continued.
“I spent six years trying to undo what I helped create.””
Thomas leaned closer.
“She admits involvement.””
My mother shook her head.
“Keep watching.””
Lily looked directly into the camera.
“Richard Hale was never the mastermind.””
Everyone became still.
“He was just a weapon.””
My father stepped closer.
“Then who controlled him?””
Lily’s voice trembled.
“The person who knew everything.””
The video glitched.
Then came back.
“The person who had access to the company.””
My mother whispered.
“No.””
Lily continued.
“The person who convinced everyone they were protecting the family.””
The room went cold.
My grandfather closed his eyes.
Because he knew.
I looked at him.
“Who?””
Lily answered.
“My father.””
My grandfather looked up.
Everyone stared.
My mother’s face collapsed.
“No.””
Lily continued.
“Dad didn’t just hide the truth.””
The video paused.
Then played again.
“He created it.””
My grandfather whispered:
“Stop.””
But nobody touched the computer.
Lily’s voice became softer.
“Angela, I tried to tell you.””
My mother started crying.
“I’m sorry.””
The video ended.
Nobody moved.
Then my grandfather stood.
“You don’t understand.””
I looked at him.
“Then explain.””
He looked at me.
“I was trying to protect this family.””
I shook my head.
“Everyone says that.””
My voice cracked.
“But all of you keep destroying it.””
My grandfather looked devastated.
Then his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
And his entire face changed.
“What is it?”” my mother asked.
He didn’t answer.
He slowly handed the phone to Thomas.
Thomas looked at the message.
Then went pale.
“What?””
My father stepped forward.
“What does it say?””
Thomas read it silently.
Then looked at me.
“Maya.””
My stomach dropped.
“What?””
He turned the phone around.
A message from Lily.
*I HAVE THE ORIGINAL EVIDENCE. I HAVE THE PROOF OF WHO STARTED EVERYTHING.*
Then another line appeared.
*BUT YOU NEED TO COME ALONE.*
My mother grabbed the phone.
“No.””
Thomas looked at her.
“Why?””
Because Angela was staring at the final sentence.
May you like
The one that made her hands shake.
*IF YOU BRING YOUR MOTHER, MAYA DIES.*
