Chapter 17: The Family Secret
The photo stayed on the screen.
Nobody wanted to say the name.
Because saying it would make it real.
My dad stared.
His breathing changed.
“Impossible.””
I looked at him.
“Who is it?””
He didn’t answer.
Rachel stepped closer.
Then she whispered:
“Your grandfather’s brother.””
I frowned.
“My great-uncle?””
Daniel nodded.
“Thomas Carter.””
I searched my memory.
The name sounded familiar.
A name from old family conversations.
A name my mother used to mention before she disappeared.
“But he’s been gone for years.””
Daniel shook his head.
“Another lie.””
My dad sat down.
“How many people are involved in this?””
Daniel looked at him.
“More than we thought.””
I looked at the photo again.
Thomas wasn’t just standing there.
He was smiling.
Like he knew something everyone else didn’t.
My phone buzzed.
Another message.
This time from an unknown number.
Everyone watched as I opened it.
The message contained only one sentence.
*Stop searching, Emma. You’re closer than you should be.*
Then a second message arrived.
A location.
An address.
And underneath it:
*Come alone if you want the truth.*
My dad immediately shook his head.
“No.””
I looked at him.
“You don’t even know what it is.””
“I know exactly what it is.””
“What?””
“A trap.””
Daniel nodded.
“He’s right.””
I looked at both of them.
“And what happens if I don’t go?””
Nobody answered.
Because we all knew.
The person behind this had already proven they could reach us.
They had entered my room.
They had manipulated my family.
They had tried to steal my inheritance.
Ignoring them wouldn’t make them disappear.
Rachel touched my arm.
“Emma, don’t go.””
I looked at her.
“You spent years hiding from them.””
Her face fell.
“Yes.””
“I don’t want to spend years hiding too.””
Nobody had an answer.
Two hours later, I was sitting in my car outside the address.
I hadn’t gone alone.
Not really.
My dad had followed several blocks behind.
Daniel stayed nearby.
The police were contacted.
But I needed to know.
I needed answers.
The building was abandoned.
An old office.
Broken windows.
Dust-covered floors.
I walked inside.
“Hello?””
My voice echoed.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then a light turned on.
A man stepped from the shadows.
Victor Hale.
Alive.
Older than the photo.
But unmistakable.
I froze.
“You came.””
I stared.
“You wanted me here.””
He smiled.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
He looked at me.
“Because you deserve the truth.””
I almost laughed.
“Everyone says that.””
Victor ignored me.
“Your mother was never supposed to survive.””
My blood ran cold.
“What?””
“She found out too much.””
“About what?””
“About your inheritance.””
I stepped back.
“You threatened her.””
“No.””
He shook his head.
“Your grandfather did.””
“Then why are you involved?””
Victor smiled.
“Because your grandfather was only the beginning.””
My stomach tightened.
“What does that mean?””
He walked toward a desk.
Placed a folder on it.
“Your inheritance was never just money.””
I frowned.
“What else would it be?””
He opened the folder.
Inside was an old photograph.
A group of people.
My mother.
My grandfather.
Victor.
And another man.
A man I recognized.
My biological father.
Adrian.
Victor pointed at the photograph.
“Your father left something behind.””
I stared.
“What?””
“A company.””
I shook my head.
“That’s impossible.””
Victor smiled.
“Your mother hid it from everyone.””
“Why?””
“Because if people knew what Adrian owned…”
He leaned closer.
“They would stop at nothing to control you.””
I looked at the documents.
The money.
The lies.
The disappearances.
Everything suddenly felt bigger.
Then Victor said something that made my blood freeze.
“Your father didn’t die.””
I stared.
“What?””
“Adrian is alive.””
The room spun.
“No.””
Victor smiled.
“Yes.””
My voice shook.
“Where is he?””
Victor looked toward the door.
May you like
And whispered:
“He’s been watching you your entire life.””
