Chapter 15: Rachel’s Confession
I stared at Rachel’s messages.
Three words.
*You found it.*
Then:
*Now you know why I did it.*
Not:
I’m sorry.
Not:
I can explain.
Why I did it.
Like there was a reason.
Like everything she had done could be placed on a scale and balanced.
I called her.
She answered after one ring.
“Lily.””
Her voice sounded tired.
Not surprised.
“You knew I found the notebook.””
“Yes.””
“You knew about my father’s letter.””
“Yes.””
“How?””
A pause.
“Because I was there when he wrote it.””
I closed my eyes.
“What?””
“I helped him.””
I looked at Mark.
He looked confused.
“Rachel…”
“Lily, listen to me.””
“No.””
My voice shook.
“You don’t get to tell me to listen.””
“I know.””
“You lied to me.””
“Yes.””
“You helped my husband hide his crimes.””
“Yes.””
“You endangered my daughter.””
A long silence.
Then:
“I know.””
That answer broke something inside me.
Because she didn’t deny it.
“Why?””
Rachel took a shaky breath.
“Because I was trying to expose Daniel.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Everyone has an excuse.””
“It’s not an excuse.””
“Then what is it?””
“The truth.””
I said nothing.
Rachel continued.
“Your father knew the network was bigger than he could handle.””
“Then why involve you?””
“Because I was already inside.””
My blood ran cold.
“What does that mean?””
“Daniel trusted me.””
I froze.
“You knew Daniel?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
She hesitated.
“He was my father.””
The room went silent.
I couldn’t process the words.
“What?””
“Daniel Whitmore is my biological father.””
I looked at Mark.
He looked shocked.
Even he didn’t know.
“Rachel…”
“I never told anyone.””
“Why?””
“Because my father was dangerous.””
“Then why help him?””
“I wasn’t helping him.””
Her voice broke.
“I was trying to destroy what he built.””
I remembered the messages.
The plan.
The birthday.
“What happened at Emma’s party?””
Rachel was silent.
Finally:
“I made the drink.””
My heart stopped.
“Rachel.””
“But I didn’t poison it.””
“Then what happened?””
“I put something harmless in it.””
“Why?””
“To make Emma look sick.””
I couldn’t speak.
“Lily, I know how terrible that sounds.””
“Because it is.””
“I know.””
“Do you?””
My voice cracked.
“She could have died.””
“I know.””
“You almost killed my daughter.””
“No.””
Her voice became desperate.
“I almost exposed Mark.””
“That doesn’t make it better.””
“I know.””
The silence between us was unbearable.
“Why Emma?””
“Because Mark would only reveal the truth if something forced him.””
“You used my daughter as a trigger.””
“I was wrong.””
For the first time, she sounded broken.
“I thought I was controlling the situation.””
Everyone said that.
Everyone.
“I was wrong.””
I looked at Mark.
He whispered:
“Ask her who changed it.””
I put the phone back to my ear.
“Rachel.””
“Yes?””
“Who changed the drink?””
She didn’t answer.
That scared me.
“Rachel.””
Finally, she whispered:
“I don’t know.””
I closed my eyes.
“No more.””
“Lily…”
“No more secrets.””
A long pause.
Then Rachel said:
“There is one more thing.””
“What?””
“The person who changed the drink…”
Her voice trembled.
“…was trying to make sure Emma survived.””
I froze.
“What?””
“They didn’t want her dead.””
“Then what did they want?””
Rachel whispered:
“They wanted Mark to think he was responsible.””
My blood ran cold.
“Why?””
Rachel’s answer came softly.
“Because Mark was never the final target.””
I remembered my father’s words.
The real target was never Emma.
“What was the target?””
Rachel took a breath.
May you like
Then said:
“You.””
