Chapter 8: The Truth Behind Evan
I drove back to Daniel's apartment faster than I should have.
My hands shook the entire way.
My father’s words repeated in my head.
*They already won.*
I didn't know who "they" were.
I didn't know why Daniel's name terrified my father.
I only knew one thing.
My entire life had been built on secrets.
When I arrived, the door to Daniel's apartment was open.
My heart stopped.
"Daniel?""
No answer.
I stepped inside.
The room looked untouched.
Too untouched.
Then I saw the broken glass near the kitchen.
And the envelope from my father sitting on the floor.
Someone had been here.
"Daniel!""
I ran through the apartment.
The bedroom.
The hallway.
The balcony.
Nothing.
Then I saw the note on the table.
My blood went cold.
*Stop looking for answers. You already lost someone once. Don't lose another.*
I grabbed my phone.
Called Daniel.
Straight to voicemail.
Again.
Again.
Nothing.
Then the door behind me clicked.
I turned.
A man stood there.
Not Daniel.
Evan.
My entire body froze.
"What are you doing here?""
He closed the door quietly.
"You're asking the wrong question.""
I backed away.
"Get out.""
Evan looked hurt.
Not angry.
Hurt.
And somehow that made him more frightening.
"Emma, listen to me.""
"No.""
"You don't understand what happened.""
"I understand enough.""
He took a step forward.
"Do you?""
His voice changed.
The gentle confidence was gone.
"Do you really think I just randomly walked into your life?""
My stomach dropped.
My silence answered him.
Evan looked down.
"I was supposed to get close to you.""
The room went silent.
My hands curled into fists.
"Why?""
He looked at me.
"Because of your father.""
I shook my head.
"Why?""
"Because he hid something.""
"What?""
Evan hesitated.
Then said:
"The same thing Daniel's father hid.""
I stared at him.
"You know Daniel's father?""
Evan nodded.
"Better than I wanted to.""
Every piece of my life seemed connected to something I couldn't see.
"Where is Daniel?""
Evan's expression changed.
"I don't know.""
"You're lying.""
"I'm not.""
"Then why are you here?""
He looked at the note on the table.
"Because I got here too late.""
I didn't understand.
"Too late for what?""
Evan looked at me carefully.
"To stop them from taking him.""
The words hit me.
"Who took him?""
He didn't answer.
Because footsteps sounded outside the apartment.
Evan immediately turned.
His face changed.
"Hide.""
I stared at him.
"Why would I trust you?""
"Because right now, I'm the only person in this room who wants Daniel alive.""
The footsteps got closer.
A key moved in the lock.
Evan grabbed my arm and pulled me toward the hallway.
I pulled away.
"Don't touch me.""
He released me immediately.
"Fine.""
The door handle turned.
Evan whispered:
"Whatever happens, don't let them know your father found you.""
The door opened.
A man stepped inside.
An older man.
Someone I recognized.
Not from my past.
From the photograph.
Daniel's father.
The man who had supposedly died eight years ago.
He looked at Evan.
Then at me.
And his face went pale.
"Emma.""
I couldn't move.
"You're alive too?""
He didn't answer.
Instead, he looked toward the empty hallway.
Then whispered:
"They found you.""
My heart raced.
"Who?""
He closed the door.
Locked it.
Then looked directly at me.
"The people who killed your father.""
A sound came from outside.
A knock.
Three slow knocks.
Daniel's father looked terrified.
"Emma, when that door opens...""
He grabbed the photograph from the table.
"When they ask you who you trust...""
The lights suddenly went out.
Complete darkness.
And in the silence, a familiar voice came from the other side of the door.
"Emma.""
I stopped breathing.
Because I knew that voice.
It was Daniel.
May you like
But the fear in his voice told me one thing.
He wasn't alone.
