Chapter 15: Emily’s Final Warning
The handwriting shook my hands.
Not because I was scared.
Because I knew Emily.
I knew how carefully she wrote.
Even when she was sick.
Even when she was exhausted.
She always made her letters beautiful.
But this one was different.
The words were rushed.
Like she didn’t have much time.
I read it again.
*Ethan, if Richard ever comes for Lily, do not trust anyone who says they are protecting her.*
One sentence.
A warning.
A trap.
I looked around the church.
At every person standing there.
Every person who claimed they were helping.
My father.
Marcus.
Claire.
Daniel.
Vanessa.
Everyone had hidden something.
Everyone had a reason.
The attorney stepped closer.
“Emily wrote that three days before she passed.””
I looked at her.
“You knew?””
She nodded.
“I helped her prepare the documents.””
“Why didn’t you contact me?””
Her eyes filled with guilt.
“Because Emily instructed me not to.””
I laughed quietly.
“Of course she did.””
The pain in my voice made everyone look away.
“She knew I would try to fix everything.””
The attorney nodded.
“She was afraid you would put yourself in danger.””
I looked at Lily.
“I’m already in danger.””
The attorney opened her bag.
“She left something else.””
Another envelope.
This one was smaller.
“Only you can open it.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“Because Emily requested that it be delivered after you learned the truth.””
I took it.
My fingers shook as I opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
Emily and Lily.
At the park.
A few months before Emily died.
On the back was a message.
*The person who saves Lily may not be the person you expect.*
I stared.
“What does that mean?””
Nobody answered.
Then the attorney said:
“Emily knew someone close to you would eventually reveal themselves.””
My eyes narrowed.
“Who?””
She shook her head.
“She never told me.””
The church remained silent.
Then Vanessa spoke.
“Maybe she knew.””
Everyone looked at her.
She stepped forward slowly.
“Maybe Emily knew all of us were lying.””
I looked at her.
“Are you saying you know something?””
Vanessa looked at Lily.
“I know I did terrible things.””
The honesty surprised me.
“But I wasn’t the only one.””
She looked at my father.
Then Marcus.
Then Claire.
“Everyone here has been keeping secrets.””
Marcus frowned.
“Vanessa.””
“No.””
Her voice cracked.
“I’m done protecting people.””
She reached into her purse.
And pulled out a small recorder.
My stomach tightened.
“What is that?””
“A conversation.””
“With who?””
She pressed the button.
At first, there was only static.
Then a voice.
A familiar voice.
My heart stopped.
Because it was mine.
But I wasn’t speaking to anyone.
The recording was from a conversation I had never had.
A fake recording.
Someone had created evidence against me.
The church erupted.
“What is this?””
The attorney grabbed the recorder.
“This is fabricated.””
Vanessa nodded.
“Yes.””
I stared at her.
“Why do you have it?””
She looked at me.
“Because Richard gave it to me.””
The room froze.
“He wanted me to use it against you.””
My anger faded into confusion.
“Why?””
She swallowed.
“Because if you were declared unstable…”
She looked at Lily.
“He could take control of everything.””
The pieces finally started connecting.
But one piece was still missing.
Richard.
Where was he?
Then my phone rang.
This time, I recognized the number.
My father’s office.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A woman’s terrified voice came through.
“Ethan, you need to listen carefully.””
“Who is this?””
“My name is Sarah. I work for Richard.””
My heart tightened.
“What happened?””
Her voice dropped.
“Richard knows you found out.””
I looked around.
Everyone was watching me.
“What does he want?””
A pause.
Then she whispered:
“He doesn’t want Lily’s inheritance anymore.””
My blood ran cold.
“What does he want?””
The woman took a shaky breath.
“He wants Lily herself.””
The line went silent.
May you like
And then she said:
“Because Richard knows something about Lily’s birth that you don’t.””
