Chapter 13: The Name Hidden in the Account
The moment Jonathan said the words, I felt like the air had been pulled from the room.
*Someone inside your family.*
Not an outsider.
Not an enemy hiding behind a stranger’s face.
Someone connected by blood.
Someone who knew exactly where to hurt me.
“Jonathan,” I said slowly, “tell me the name.””
There was silence on the line.
“Emma, I think you need to prepare yourself.””
My fingers tightened around the phone.
“I’ve spent my entire life preparing for disappointment. Just tell me.””
Another pause.
Then he said:
“The payment was made to an account registered under Alexis Carter.””
I looked at my mother.
The world seemed to stop.
“No.””
My mother’s face changed.
She already knew.
“Emma,” Jonathan continued, “we haven’t confirmed she personally received the money. It could be identity theft or—”
I ended the call.
Not because I was angry.
Because I needed to hear the truth from the person standing in front of me.
My mother slowly lowered herself into the chair.
“Mom.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I knew this day would come.””
My heart sank.
“You knew?””
She covered her face.
“Not everything.””
“Then what did you know?””
She looked at the recorder on the table.
“Your father wasn’t the only one investigating Landon.””
I sat across from her.
“Explain.””
She took a shaky breath.
“After your grandfather died, I found out he had been tracking suspicious activity within the company.””
“And?””
“He believed Landon had help.””
My voice became quiet.
“From you?””
She flinched.
That reaction hurt more than any confession.
“Mom.””
“No.””
She shook her head quickly.
“I never helped him.””
“Then why is your name attached to the account?””
“I don’t know.””
Her answer sounded desperate.
But I needed more.
“Did Landon ever contact you?””
She looked away.
A few seconds passed.
Then she whispered:
“Yes.””
The room went silent.
“When?””
“Years ago.””
“How many years?””
“Before you married Caden.””
I stood.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because he threatened me.””
My anger faded slightly.
“What did he threaten?””
She looked toward the hallway where Donovan was sleeping.
“He knew about you.””
My stomach tightened.
“He knew your father had left evidence. He knew your grandfather had created protections. He knew everything.””
“Why you?””
“Because he thought I was the easiest person to break.””
I stared at her.
My mother, who had spent years sacrificing everything for me.
The woman Bonnie treated like a servant.
The woman who carried my child while recovering from surgery.
The woman who still worried about protecting everyone else.
“What did he want?””
She wiped her tears.
“He wanted me to help him access your grandfather’s archives.””
“Did you?””
“No.””
Her voice became firm.
“I refused.””
“Then why is there an account?””
“I don’t know.””
Before I could respond, my security alarm sounded.
Everyone froze.
A sharp warning echoed through the house.
I immediately stood.
“What happened?””
A security guard’s voice came through the speaker.
“Ms. Carter, someone attempted to enter through the east gate.””
“Who?””
A pause.
Then:
“We have the vehicle.””
My body went cold.
“Show me.””
The security screen activated.
A camera image appeared.
A familiar car sat outside the gate.
I recognized it immediately.
It belonged to my mother.
My mother looked at the screen.
Her face went pale.
“That’s impossible.””
“Mom?””
She stood slowly.
“That car was sold years ago.””
I looked closer.
The person inside the vehicle stepped out.
A man.
Older.
Gray hair.
Holding a folder.
Then the camera zoomed in.
My blood ran cold.
Because I knew that face.
My father.
Impossible.
May you like
My father had been dead for twelve years.
Yet the person standing outside my gate looked exactly like him.
