Chapter 10 - What Was Left Behind
652 Words
Ella did not open the folder until she was sure she was alone.
The taxi had barely pulled away when she hurried into the building, checking over her shoulder more times than she wanted to admit. The lift doors seemed to move slowly, becoming constricted and breathless with each passing second. She listened when she got to her floor and then opened her door. No footsteps. There are no voices. Not a single sound.
She locked all the bolts inside, even the one she hardly ever used.
She didn't put the folder on the dining table until after that. She held onto it for a long time, as though releasing her grip would cause something to happen. The confidential stamp appeared to have been touched too frequently because it was faded. Feeling the quiet press against her, Ella sank into the chair.
The folder was opened by her.
There were just three things inside. She had higher expectations. Documents. Remarks. Something that explained her fear.
Rather, the first item she lifted was a picture.
Her father smiled in a way she hardly recognised, and he appeared younger, possibly ten years younger. He was standing next to a tall, serious-looking man with dark hair. What she already suspected was revealed by the name at the bottom.
Ronan, Hayes.
The picture only showed the dim outline of a building behind them; there was no date. They didn't appear to be acquaintances. Like someone who belonged there, the man's hand rested lightly on her father's shoulder.
Ella put down the picture and grabbed the second item, a brief police report. It was mostly blacked out. An investigation that resulted in no charges was mentioned in a line. No additional action is needed, according to another line. There was no explanation for why a man associated with her father would appear in a private file years later.
As Ella opened the last item, her breathing became shallow.
A little handwritten message on a ripped sheet of paper.
Don't get in touch with him if something goes wrong. Protect the girl.
Not a signature. Not a date. However, it was her father's handwriting. Every letter's shape was familiar to her.
The girl.
Her.
Ella got up so fast that the chair scraped the ground. The walls seemed to be leaning in, making the room seem smaller. Someone was aware that something would occur. Her father was warned by someone. And he kept it a secret from her.
She jumped when she heard a gentle knock on the door.
Staring at the door and waiting for the handle to move, she froze. A familiar voice spoke softly as her throat constricted.
"It's me, Ella."
She unlocked the door and took a step back as Liam entered. His gaze immediately fell on her face before shifting to the open folder.
"What happened?"
Ella gave the note to him. Liam's jaw tightened as he read it slowly.
He declared, "This changes everything."
Ella muttered, "I don't understand any of it." "Why would my dad keep this a secret? Why would he write something like that and keep it from me?
Liam returned the note to the table.
He said softly, "Because he was trying to protect you." "But whatever he was shielding you from is no longer in the past."
Something changed inside Ella. She was still afraid, but she was no longer under its control. It was seated next to something fresh and stable.
She muttered, "I'm sick of being afraid." "I'm curious about the truth."
With steady, warm eyes, Liam gazed at her.
He replied, "Then you will." "But you're not working alone."
Ella nodded, her heartbeat slowing, not because the threat had disappeared, but rather because she had finished fleeing it.
Silently and expectantly, the folder stayed open on the table.
Her father's legacy wasn't complete.
Furthermore, Ella had changed since entering that office.
No longer scared.
- Writer
