Chapter 19: The Sister Nobody Knew Existed
The phone slipped from my hand.
For a moment, I thought I had misunderstood.
A sister.
The word didn’t belong in my life.
I had spent eighteen years believing I was an only child.
My mother had never mentioned another baby.
Never mentioned another daughter.
Never left a clue.
But the fear on her face told me everything.
“Mom?””
Elena looked away.
That hurt more than any answer.
“Mom, is it true?””
She closed her eyes.
And then she whispered:
“Yes.””
The room went completely silent.
Mr. Bennett looked like he couldn’t process what he had heard.
“Another child?””
Elena nodded slowly.
“Before Amara.””
I felt like the world shifted beneath me.
Before me.
There had been someone else.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
My mother’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because I lost her.””
The words broke something inside me.
“What does that mean?””
She sat down.
For the first time since I saw her alive, she looked fragile.
“She was born before everything happened with Everett’s company.””
Mr. Bennett sat beside her.
“Elena…”
“I was young,” she said quietly.
“And scared.””
She looked at me.
“I thought I could protect her by keeping her away from danger.””
A tear rolled down her cheek.
“But someone found out.””
Daniel’s voice was still faintly audible through the phone.
Nobody had ended the call.
“You see, Amara?”” he said.
“Your mother has spent years hiding the truth.””
My anger returned.
“Why are you telling me this now?””
Daniel didn’t answer immediately.
Then:
“Because your sister is the reason everything started.””
My mother stood.
“Don’t listen to him.””
Daniel laughed softly.
“You still protect everyone, Elena.””
“Because someone has to.””
The phone went silent.
Then Daniel said:
“Amara, your sister is alive.””
My heart stopped.
I looked at my mother.
She couldn’t look at me.
“Mom?””
She whispered:
“I don’t know.””
The answer crushed me.
“You don’t know?””
“I tried to find her.””
“When?””
“Every year.””
Her voice broke.
“But every trail disappeared.””
Richard stepped forward.
“Daniel knows where she is.””
Everyone looked at the phone.
Daniel didn’t deny it.
“Yes.””
Mr. Bennett grabbed the phone.
“Where is she?””
Daniel laughed.
“You still think you can demand answers.””
“Where is Elena’s daughter?””
A pause.
Then Daniel said:
“Bring me the final file.””
My mother froze.
“What?””
“The third recording.””
Everyone went still.
The missing file.
The final truth.
Daniel continued.
“You have it, Elena.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
“Yes.””
His voice became colder.
“You hid it somewhere only Amara could find.””
I looked at my mother.
She looked terrified.
“What is the third file?”” I asked.
She whispered:
“The truth about your sister.””
My heart raced.
“Where is it?””
She didn’t answer.
Then suddenly, something happened.
The warehouse lights flickered.
A sound came from outside.
Cars.
Multiple cars.
Richard looked toward the door.
“We need to move.””
Mr. Bennett nodded.
But my mother grabbed my hand.
“No.””
Everyone stopped.
“I need to tell her.””
“Tell me what?””
My mother looked at me.
“The reason your sister disappeared.””
I waited.
“She was not taken.””
The words shocked everyone.
“What?””
My mother’s voice trembled.
“She left.””
“Why?””
“Because she found out the truth before anyone else.””
I felt cold.
“What truth?””
My mother looked at the others.
Then at me.
“Your sister discovered that the person controlling Daniel…”
She paused.
“…was someone we all trusted.””
The warehouse door suddenly shook.
Someone was trying to get inside.
Mr. Bennett moved toward it.
“Who is out there?””
My mother grabbed my shoulders.
“Amara, listen carefully.””
Her eyes were full of fear.
“If you find your sister, don’t believe everything she tells you.””
I froze.
“Why?””
A loud crash came from the door.
The lock broke.
My mother whispered the final words before the door opened.
“Because she may not remember who she really is.””
The door flew open.
Everyone turned.
A woman stood there.
About my age.
Dark hair.
Cold eyes.
Holding a folder.
She looked directly at me.
And said:
“Hello, Amara.””
A pause.
May you like
Then:
“I’m the sister your mother buried.””
