Chapter 6: The Hospital Photograph
I stared at the picture until my eyes hurt.
The timestamp was visible.
Three years ago.
The same night Daniel disappeared.
The same night Mark said he was “nowhere to be found.””
But there he was.
My husband.
Standing outside a hospital entrance at 2:14 in the morning.
Not confused.
Not searching.
Waiting.
I zoomed in.
Mark was holding something.
A folder.
A document.
Something he didn’t want anyone to see.
My phone rang.
I almost dropped it.
Unknown number.
I answered immediately.
“Hello?””
For several seconds, there was only breathing.
Then a man spoke.
“Chloe?””
My heart stopped.
I knew that voice.
I had heard it only once before.
On the recording.
“Daniel?””
The line went quiet.
Then he said,
“I wasn’t sure you’d believe me.””
I walked into the living room.
“Where are you?””
“I can’t tell you.””
“Why?””
“Because Mark is not the only person who knows I’m alive.””
I froze.
“What does that mean?””
Daniel exhaled.
“It means Megan knows.””
I looked toward the window.
The street outside was empty.
“Why did you leave?””
His voice became heavier.
“Because I found proof.””
“Proof of what?””
A long pause.
Then:
“Emma’s death wasn’t an accident.””
I gripped the phone.
“What?””
“I spent three years trying to prove it.””
My mind went back to the recording.
The fear on Mark’s face.
The way Megan reacted when Daniel’s name was mentioned.
“Daniel, what happened that night?””
“I found out Megan had been hiding something.””
“What?””
“She wasn’t supposed to be alone with Emma.””
I closed my eyes.
“Then why was she?””
“Because Mark asked me to trust her.””
The words hit me.
“Mark?””
“Yes.””
I sat down.
“Why?””
“Because Megan convinced him she was changing.””
I felt sick.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Daniel was quiet.
“Because Mark made sure you never heard my side.””
I looked at the photograph again.
“What was he doing at the hospital?””
Daniel didn’t answer immediately.
Then he said,
“That’s why I called.””
My breathing slowed.
“What?””
“There is something in that folder.””
“What folder?””
“The one Mark was carrying.””
I stared at the picture.
“What was inside?””
“Documents.””
“What documents?””
Daniel’s voice lowered.
“The ones proving Megan didn’t just make a mistake.””
A chill ran through me.
“What did she do?””
Before Daniel could answer, I heard another sound.
A car door closing.
“Daniel?””
His breathing changed.
“Chloe, I have to go.””
“No. Wait.””
“Do not tell Mark I contacted you.””
“Why?””
His voice became urgent.
“Because if he knows I’m talking to you, he’ll destroy the only evidence left.””
The call ended.
I sat there frozen.
Then another message appeared.
Not from Daniel.
From Mark.
*We need to talk. I know you spoke to him.*
My blood went cold.
I looked at the phone.
Then at the front door.
Because I had never told Mark I knew Daniel was alive.
And there was only one way he could have found out.
Someone inside my house had told him.
And then I heard a quiet knock.
Three slow knocks.
Coming from my front door.
I walked closer.
My hand reached for the lock.
And a voice whispered from the other side.
May you like
“Chloe… don’t open the door.””
It was Lily.
