Chapter 9: The Woman Who Knew Everything
The woman walked into the house like she owned it.
She didn’t knock.
She didn’t apologize.
She simply entered with a black leather briefcase in her hand and a calm expression on her face.
My mother immediately moved toward her.
“You shouldn’t be here.””
The woman looked at her.
“Actually, I should.””
Her eyes moved around the room.
Then stopped on me.
“You must be Emily.””
I didn’t answer.
“Who are you?”” Daniel asked.
The woman extended her hand.
“Victoria Hale.””
Nobody shook it.
She lowered her hand.
“I represented your father.””
My stomach tightened.
Another person connected to the past.
Another person who knew secrets I didn’t.
Victoria looked at the document on the table.
Then at my mother.
“You used this?””
My mother looked angry.
“I had no choice.””
Victoria sighed.
“That is exactly what you said seven years ago.””
The room went silent.
Seven years ago.
My father’s death.
My mother’s secret.
Everything seemed connected to that year.
I looked at Victoria.
“What happened seven years ago?””
She opened her briefcase.
“I think it’s time you knew.””
My mother stepped forward.
“No.””
Victoria looked at her.
“You don’t get to decide that anymore.””
Those words were powerful.
Because my mother had spent years deciding everything.
Who knew what.
Who received what.
Who deserved what.
Victoria placed several documents on the table.
“Your father discovered the missing money before he died.””
Daniel looked at me.
“We know.””
Victoria shook her head.
“No.””
She looked directly at me.
“You know about the money.””
She tapped the papers.
“You don’t know about the agreement.””
I frowned.
“What agreement?””
Victoria pulled out another file.
“Your mother signed a repayment agreement with your father.””
I looked at my mother.
“You told me he never knew.””
She looked away.
Victoria continued.
“He gave her a chance to fix it privately.””
Daniel looked shocked.
“He forgave her?””
“Yes.””
I felt something twist inside me.
Because my father had done what he always did.
He tried to save everyone.
Even the person who hurt him.
Victoria continued.
“But there was one condition.””
I looked at the document.
“What condition?””
She pointed.
“Your mother had to stop accessing family funds.””
My mother’s face went pale.
I understood immediately.
She broke the agreement.
Victoria nodded.
“After your father died, she believed she could rewrite everything.””
My mother slammed her hand on the table.
“Enough.””
Nobody moved.
She looked at Victoria.
“You don’t understand.””
Victoria’s voice remained calm.
“No. I understand perfectly.””
Then she turned to me.
“Your father prepared for this.””
I frowned.
“For what?””
“For the possibility that your mother would try to erase his decisions.””
She handed me another envelope.
This one was sealed.
My name was written on it.
Again.
Emily.
My hands shook as I opened it.
Inside was one final letter.
But this time, the first sentence made my heart stop.
Emily,
If your mother is standing in front of you denying everything, then there is something you need to know.
I looked at my mother.
She was watching me.
Terrified.
I kept reading.
The person who betrayed me was not the only person involved.
My breath caught.
There was more.
Someone else knew.
Someone else helped.
I looked up slowly.
“Who?””
Victoria didn’t answer.
Instead, she looked at Daniel.
And my brother’s face changed.
Because somehow…
He already knew.
Victoria whispered,
“Your father wasn’t betrayed by one person.””
She looked at both of us.
“He was betrayed by two.””
And Daniel quietly said,
“Emily…”
I turned toward him.
“What?””
May you like
His eyes filled with guilt.
“I need to tell you something about the night Dad died.””
