Chapter 18: The Last Person We Suspected
Nobody spoke after my mother said his name.
Principal Harris.
Daniel Cole.
Her own brother.
The man who had been standing in front of students for years.
The man who gave me my award.
The man who smiled every morning when I walked into school.
The person I trusted.
My mother held my hands.
“I tried to warn you.””
I stared at her.
“You knew he was near me?””
She nodded.
“I knew he had changed his identity.””
My voice broke.
“But you let me stay at that school?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“I thought I could keep you safe from a distance.””
“You weren’t there.””
The words came out sharper than I intended.
She flinched.
And immediately I regretted them.
“I’m sorry.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
Her fingers squeezed mine.
“You have every right to be angry.””
Mr. Bennett stepped closer.
“Elena, tell us everything.””
My mother looked at him.
“I should have told you years ago.””
“You tried.””
She nodded.
“But every time I got close, Daniel found me.””
Richard looked at her.
“How did he control everything?””
Elena took a deep breath.
“Because Daniel wasn’t acting alone.””
The room became tense.
“Who was helping him?””
She looked at Mr. Bennett.
“Someone inside your company.””
Mr. Bennett frowned.
“I thought we found everyone.””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“You found the people he wanted you to find.””
A terrible realization crossed his face.
“Who?””
Elena looked at me.
“Amara, the reason Daniel wanted access to you wasn’t because of your father’s money.””
“Then why?””
She looked at the folder in my hands.
“Because of what you inherited.””
I froze.
“What?””
My mother touched the old box of documents.
“Your grandfather left something behind.””
I frowned.
“I don’t understand.””
“Before Everett built his company, there was a private research project.””
Mr. Bennett looked confused.
“Elena…”
“He knows.””
She looked at him.
“But he doesn’t know everything.””
My mind raced.
“My grandfather?””
She nodded.
“Your biological grandfather created technology that could change the world.””
“And?””
“And Daniel wanted it.””
Richard stepped forward.
“That’s why he targeted Elena.””
“Yes.””
My mother looked at him.
“And that’s why he targeted Amara.””
The pieces finally connected.
The secrets.
The threats.
The missing documents.
The hidden letters.
Everything led back to one thing.
Power.
Daniel had never wanted my family.
He wanted what my family had.
Suddenly, my phone rang.
Everyone froze.
Unknown number.
My mother looked terrified.
“Don’t answer.””
But I did.
A voice immediately spoke.
“Amara.””
Daniel.
Except he wasn’t angry.
He sounded calm.
Almost disappointed.
“You found her.””
I looked at my mother.
“How?””
“I always knew where she was.””
My blood went cold.
“You lied.””
“No.””
A pause.
“I protected her.””
My mother stepped forward.
“Daniel, stop.””
His voice changed when he heard her.
“Elena.””
She looked at the phone.
“You destroyed everything.””
“I saved you.””
“No.””
Her voice became stronger.
“You imprisoned me.””
Silence.
Then Daniel said something unexpected.
“I did what I had to.””
I felt sick.
“Why?””
His answer was quiet.
“Because the real person behind this was coming for all of us.””
Everyone looked confused.
“What are you talking about?”” Mr. Bennett asked.
Daniel ignored him.
“Amara, you still don’t understand.””
My grip tightened.
“Understand what?””
A pause.
Then:
“Your mother wasn’t the only one who disappeared twenty years ago.””
The room went still.
“What?””
Daniel continued.
“There was another child.””
My mother’s face changed.
Fear.
Real fear.
“Daniel…”
He ignored her.
“A child who knew the truth.””
I looked at my mother.
“Who?””
May you like
Daniel whispered:
“Your sister.””
