Chapter 13: The Night Everyone Disappeared
The house felt different after the video ended.
Not quiet.
Empty.
Like every wall had been holding a secret and finally got tired of carrying it.
My father sat on the couch, staring at the floor.
Nicole stood near the window.
For once, she didn't look confident.
She looked cornered.
And I realized something.
The video hadn't just exposed her.
It had scared her.
"Nicole.""
My voice made her turn.
"Where was my mother that night?""
She didn't answer.
"Where was she?""
Her eyes moved to my father.
Then to Daniel's old folder on the table.
"I didn't know.""
Nobody believed her.
Not even herself.
My mother stepped forward.
"You recorded that video.""
Nicole swallowed.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because I knew Daniel would betray me.""
My mother laughed bitterly.
"So you kept evidence.""
"Yes.""
"Then why didn't you use it?""
Nicole looked down.
That was the first time I saw shame on her face.
"Because I was afraid.""
My anger rose.
"You were afraid?""
I walked closer.
"You watched me grow up believing my mother abandoned me.""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"I know.""
"You watched me hate someone who loved me.""
"I know.""
"And you did nothing.""
Her voice became small.
"I know.""
The answer made me angrier than an excuse would have.
Because she wasn't denying it.
She knew.
My father stood.
"Tell us what happened.""
Nicole looked at him.
"You really want to know?""
"Yes.""
She took a shaky breath.
"After the meeting, Daniel told me he had everything under control.""
My mother frowned.
"What does that mean?""
"He said your accident would solve the problem.""
The room froze.
My mother's face went pale.
"My accident?""
Nicole nodded slowly.
"He said nobody would believe you after what happened.""
I felt sick.
"What happened to her car?""
Nicole closed her eyes.
"I don't know.""
"You're lying.""
"I'm not.""
My mother stepped closer.
"You knew.""
"I suspected.""
"Suspected?""
Nicole wiped her face.
"I found out Daniel had paid someone to tamper with the car.""
My father looked horrified.
"And you said nothing?""
"I tried.""
"When?""
"After you left the hospital.""
My mother stared.
"After I left?""
Nicole looked at her.
"I thought you were dead.""
Silence.
A horrible silence.
My mother took a step back.
"Dead?""
Nicole nodded.
"Daniel told me you didn't survive.""
My hands went cold.
"But she did.""
"Yes.""
"Then where did she go?""
Nobody answered.
Until my mother whispered:
"Daniel.""
She looked at me.
"He made sure I disappeared.""
My father shook his head.
"But why?""
My mother looked toward the laptop.
"Because I had proof.""
"What proof?""
She reached into her bag.
The same notebook.
The same old pages.
"I had records of every person Daniel helped manipulate.""
She opened it.
Names filled the pages.
Dates.
Cases.
Payments.
"He wasn't just changing custody agreements.""
My mother looked at us.
"He was controlling them.""
Lily covered her mouth.
"Why?""
"Power.""
My mother closed the notebook.
"People trusted him because he knew how to make bad things look legal.""
My phone suddenly buzzed.
Unknown number.
Everyone looked at me.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A man's voice.
Calm.
Cold.
"Emma.""
My blood froze.
Daniel.
"Where are you?""
He ignored the question.
"You found the videos.""
I didn't speak.
"You should have left the past buried.""
My father grabbed my arm.
"Put it on speaker.""
I did.
Daniel continued.
"You think you've discovered the truth.""
My mother stepped closer.
"You tried to kill me.""
A pause.
Then Daniel laughed.
"No.""
The sound sent chills through me.
"I saved you.""
"What?""
"You were supposed to disappear.""
My mother's face changed.
Daniel continued.
"But Nicole made one mistake.""
My eyes moved to Nicole.
"What mistake?""
"She kept you alive.""
Nicole looked horrified.
"What are you talking about?""
Daniel's voice became softer.
"Ask her where she hid you after the crash.""
The call ended.
Everyone turned toward Nicole.
May you like
And this time...
Nicole had no words.
