Chapter 13
322 Words
The Hidden Diary
After the kidnapping, the atmosphere inside the Kingston mansion changed.
Evans quietly assigned two bodyguards to Ami. At first, she protested.
"I don't need people following me everywhere."
"You do," Evans replied firmly. "Until I know who's behind this, you won't be alone."
For once, Ami didn't argue.
Later that afternoon, Martha invited Ami to help organize one of the mansion's old storage rooms.
Dust covered the shelves, and forgotten boxes were stacked from floor to ceiling.
"This room hasn't been opened in years," Martha said.
As Ami sorted through a wooden chest, she noticed a small leather-bound diary hidden beneath a faded blanket.
Its cover simply read:
Isabella.
Ami hesitated.
She knew she shouldn't read it.
Just as she was about to put it back, a folded piece of paper slipped out.
It was a drawing.
A little girl had sketched herself holding hands with a young Evans beneath a bright sun.
At the bottom, written in childish handwriting, were the words:
"Big brother will always protect me."
Ami's heart tightened.
She gently closed the diary.
Just then, Evans appeared at the doorway.
His eyes immediately fell on the diary in her hands.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
"I'm sorry," Ami whispered. "I wasn't trying to invade your privacy."
Instead of getting angry, Evans slowly walked over and took the diary.
"It wasn't your fault."
He looked at the cover for several seconds before saying quietly,
"She loved to draw."
His voice carried a sadness Ami had never heard before.
"I still blame myself every day."
Ami carefully placed a hand over his.
"You kept your promise as long as you could."
Evans looked at her, surprised by the kindness in her words.
For the first time since Isabella's death...
Someone had eased the weight on his heart.
Neither of them noticed the security camera in the corner of the room.
Somewhere else, someone was watching.
- Writer
