Chapter 15: The Truth Buried With My Mother

I couldn’t move.

The room seemed to tilt around me.

My mother’s death had always been the one painful memory I accepted.

A tragic accident.

A terrible moment.

Something no one could change.

But now my uncle was telling me it wasn’t random.

“What are you saying?””

His face was pale.

“I’m saying your mother was afraid before she died.””

“Afraid of who?””

He looked at the documents.

“Victoria.””

I shook my head.

“No.””

“I know what you want to believe.””

“What?””

“That everything happened naturally.””

His voice broke.

“But it didn’t.””

I sat down.

My legs couldn’t hold me.

“Tell me.””

My uncle took a deep breath.

“Your mother discovered the trust.””

I listened.

“She also discovered Victoria had been searching for her.””

“And?””

“And she found out Victoria wasn’t looking for forgiveness.””

My hands tightened.

“She wanted access.””

“Yes.””

My uncle explained that my mother had refused to meet Victoria.

She didn’t want money.

She didn’t want anything.

But Victoria became desperate.

Then Daniel’s family became involved.

The plan was simple.

Find Amelia’s daughter.

Control her.

Use her.

I looked at the documents.

“Me.””

My uncle nodded.

“You.””

I felt tears burn my eyes.

“My whole marriage…”

“Yes.””

“Was arranged?””

He looked down.

“Not completely.””

I stared.

“What does that mean?””

“Daniel did love you.””

I almost laughed.

“That’s supposed to help?””

“No.””

He shook his head.

“But it’s the truth.””

I remembered Daniel’s smile.

His promises.

The nights we stayed awake talking.

The moments that felt real.

That was the cruelest part.

Maybe some of it was real.

Maybe some of it was a lie.

I didn’t know anymore.

My phone rang.

Daniel.

I almost ignored it.

But I answered.

“What?””

His voice was quiet.

“Emma.””

I heard pain in his voice.

Real pain.

“I know what my father did.””

I froze.

“What?””

“He told me everything.””

My grip tightened.

“Your father?””

“Yes.””

“Where are you?””

A pause.

“At my parents’ house.””

I stood.

“Why?””

“Because I found something.””

“What?””

His voice dropped.

“Proof that my mother planned your mother’s death.””

I stopped breathing.

My uncle stood immediately.

“Emma, don’t listen.””

I looked at him.

Daniel continued.

“My mother knows I found out.””

“Why are you telling me?””

Another pause.

“Because she’s coming for you.””

The call suddenly ended.

I stared at the phone.

Then the lights in the house went out.

My uncle looked toward the window.

“Someone is here.””

A shadow moved outside.

I stepped back.

“Who?””

My uncle didn’t answer.

Then the front door handle began turning.

Slowly.

The lock clicked.

Once.

Twice.

My heart raced.

The door opened.

And standing there was Victoria.

But she wasn’t alone.

Beside her was someone I never expected to see.

Someone I thought was on my side.

Someone holding a folder full of documents.

My uncle whispered:

“No…”

I looked at the person beside Victoria.

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