Chapter 6: The Brother Who Vanished
David had not seen Michael Carter in twelve years.
Not since the night they stood in their father’s office, screaming at each other over the family business.
Michael had always believed he deserved more.
More control.
More money.
More recognition.
David had tried to save their relationship.
But Michael left.
And now his name had returned attached to the darkest secret of their family.
“I need to find him,” David said.
Jasmine looked at her father.
“Do you think he hurt Mom?””
David didn’t answer.
That scared her more than if he had said yes.
Jessica stood near the window.
“I told you there were things you didn’t know.””
David turned toward her.
“You knew about Michael?””
Jessica nodded slowly.
“Your wife suspected him.””
Jasmine looked shocked.
“My mother suspected your brother?””
“Yes.””
“Then why didn’t you tell Dad?””
Jessica looked down.
“Because your mother asked me not to.””
David stared.
“She trusted you?””
Jessica nodded.
“She thought if you confronted Michael, the family would collapse.””
David laughed bitterly.
“And look where we are now.””
Nobody responded.
Later that afternoon, David drove Jasmine to the old family warehouse.
It had been abandoned for years.
Dust covered the shelves.
Old boxes filled the corners.
“This place feels like it’s holding secrets,” Jasmine said quietly.
David looked around.
“Your grandfather kept every important document here.””
They searched through old files for hours.
Then Jasmine found a locked wooden box.
“Dad.””
David walked over.
There was a name carved into the top.
*Eleanor Carter.*
Her mother’s name.
David’s hands shook as he opened it.
Inside were photographs, letters, and a small notebook.
Jasmine picked it up.
“What is this?””
David opened the first page.
It was her mother’s handwriting.
The first sentence made him stop.
*“If anything happens to me, David cannot trust Michael.””*
Jasmine covered her mouth.
David continued reading.
“My brother was angry after I discovered the missing funds. He said the property would never belong to Jasmine.””
David closed the notebook.
His face was pale.
“She knew.””
Jasmine touched his arm.
“Dad…”
But before he could answer, a sound came from behind them.
A door closing.
They turned.
Nobody was there.
Then David noticed something.
The box that held the notebook was no longer where they left it.
Someone had moved it.
Jasmine whispered:
“Were we followed?””
David walked slowly toward the exit.
Outside, a car engine started.
A black vehicle pulled away from the warehouse.
David ran outside, but it was already disappearing down the road.
Then Jasmine noticed something on the ground.
A small envelope.
She picked it up.
Inside was a single piece of paper.
Only one sentence was written.
*“Stop searching for the truth, or you will lose more than a house.””*
David read the message.
His expression hardened.
May you like
Because whoever sent it knew exactly where they were.
And they had been watching them the entire time.
