Chapter 8: The Final Message
Nobody trusted Thomas Blackwood.
Not Victor.
Not Richard.
Not Evelyn.
And definitely not me.
But when he held up the envelope, something inside me changed.
Because I recognized the handwriting.
Daniel’s handwriting.
“Where did you get that?”” I asked.
Thomas looked at me.
“He gave it to me.””
Victor immediately stepped forward.
“Why would my brother give you anything?””
Thomas looked at him.
“Because he knew he couldn’t finish what he started.””
Victor’s hands tightened.
“You expect us to believe that?””
Thomas sighed.
“I expected nobody to believe me.””
He looked around the room.
“That’s why Daniel left instructions.””
Richard frowned.
“Instructions for what?””
Thomas didn’t answer.
Instead, he handed the envelope to me.
I didn’t take it.
Not at first.
Because accepting it felt like opening a door I could never close.
“Mrs. Carter,” Thomas said quietly.
“I know you hate me.””
I looked at him.
“You don’t know anything about me.””
His expression softened.
“You’re right.””
A pause.
“But I know what it feels like to lose a son.””
Nobody expected those words.
Not from him.
I finally took the envelope.
My fingers trembled as I opened it.
Inside was a small letter.
Only a few paragraphs.
Mom.
I stopped.
Even seeing that word broke something inside me.
If you’re reading this, then the truth finally came out.
I covered my mouth.
I’m sorry you had to learn about my past this way.
My eyes blurred.
You were never my replacement family.
A tear fell onto the paper.
You were my real family.
I had to stop.
Victor looked away.
Even the bikers were silent.
I continued reading.
There are things I never told you because I wanted your last memories of me to be peaceful.
My breathing became uneven.
But if Thomas is there, it means he finally decided to tell the truth.
Everyone looked at Thomas.
He lowered his eyes.
The person who betrayed me was not Thomas.
My hands froze.
I looked up.
Victor’s expression changed.
Richard stepped closer.
“What?””
I looked back at the letter.
The person who destroyed my family was someone much closer.
The room became tense.
I read the final lines.
Mom, trust Victor.
I looked at him.
Trust Richard.
Then the last sentence.
But do not trust the person who brought you all together.
My stomach dropped.
Everyone looked at each other.
Thomas took a step back.
“What does that mean?””
Nobody answered.
Because everyone was thinking the same thing.
Who brought us together?
The answer came suddenly.
Richard’s phone rang.
The sound cut through the room.
Everyone looked at him.
Richard stared at the screen.
His face changed.
Victor noticed.
“Who is it?””
Richard didn’t answer.
The phone kept ringing.
I watched his hand shake.
Finally, he answered.
“Hello?””
Silence.
Then his expression turned pale.
“What do you mean she’s there?””
My heart stopped.
“She?””
Richard looked toward me.
The phone slipped slightly from his hand.
Victor stepped closer.
“Richard.””
Slowly, Richard lowered the phone.
“There’s someone you need to see.””
“Who?””
Richard looked at the front door.
Then whispered:
“The woman who has been pretending to help you.””
Nobody moved.
The door behind us slowly opened.
And standing there was the last person I expected.
Someone who had been beside me for months.
Someone I trusted.
Someone who knew exactly where Daniel hid every secret.
Evelyn whispered her name.
May you like
And my entire world collapsed.
“Your neighbor.””
