Chapter 12: The Lies Between Us
1056 Words
The weight of Liam’s words pressed against Emma’s chest like a tightening vice.
> Daniel was obsessed with Sophie.
Daniel was the one who made her feel unsafe.
It didn’t make sense.
Daniel had been kind to her. He had helped her, warned her about Liam.
But then again—so had Liam.
Emma’s head spun.
Who was lying?
Or worse… what if both of them were?
She set down the untouched glass of water, her fingers tightening into fists. “Prove it.”
Liam raised a brow. “Prove what?”
“That Daniel is dangerous.”
Liam exhaled sharply, rubbing his face. “You really want to go down this road?”
Emma’s jaw clenched. “I deserve the truth.”
Liam studied her for a long moment before standing up. He disappeared into his bedroom, and Emma’s pulse raced.
When he returned, he held a small wooden box.
He set it down on the coffee table between them.
“Go ahead,” he said. “Look inside.”
Emma hesitated before flipping the latch.
Inside, there were dozens of letters.
Old, yellowed pages filled with neat handwriting.
Her stomach dropped.
She reached for one and unfolded it.
---
A Letter from the Past
The ink had faded slightly, but the words were clear.
> Sophie,
You think you can leave? You think you can run?
You belong to me. You always have. You always will.
If I can’t have you, no one can.
-D
Emma’s blood turned to ice.
She grabbed another letter.
> You can try to ignore me, but I’m always watching.
Another.
> No one will believe you. No one will help you. You’re mine, Sophie.
Her hands shook.
The handwriting—it was Daniel’s.
She had seen his writing before, in texts, in notes he had written down.
This was his.
Emma’s stomach churned. “Where did you get these?”
Liam’s voice was grim. “Sophie gave them to me before she disappeared.”
Emma shook her head. “This can’t be real.”
“I wish it wasn’t.”
Emma felt like the room was spinning.
Had she been wrong about Daniel?
Had he been manipulating her this entire time?
---
A Dangerous Decision
Emma clenched her fists, trying to steady herself.
“I need to talk to him,” she whispered.
Liam’s eyes darkened. “That’s a bad idea.”
“I don’t care.”
“Emma—”
She stood abruptly. “I have to hear his side.”
Liam exhaled sharply. “Fine. But I’m coming with you.”
Emma didn’t argue.
Deep down, she knew—she might not be safe alone.
---
The Confrontation
They arrived at Daniel’s apartment in the late evening.
Emma’s hands were clammy as she knocked.
Silence.
She knocked again.
Still nothing.
Liam shifted beside her, looking tense. “Maybe he’s not here.”
Emma reached for the doorknob. To her surprise—it turned.
The door was unlocked.
Her pulse quickened.
She stepped inside, heart hammering.
The living room lights were off, but the glow of a lamp from the hallway cast long shadows.
“Daniel?” she called softly.
No answer.
Liam reached for her arm. “Emma, we shouldn’t be here.”
She ignored him, moving further inside.
Then—she saw it.
The letters.
Scattered across the floor.
Not just Sophie’s letters—hers too.
Letters she had never written. Letters that looked old, fragile—addressed to her.
> Emma, my love.
You are mine, now and forever.
Emma’s breath hitched.
“What the hell?” Liam muttered, kneeling beside the pile.
Then Emma saw something worse.
A photo.
Of her.
Taken from a distance.
Taken… weeks ago.
Her chest constricted.
> Daniel was watching me?
The room tilted.
Then—a floorboard creaked behind them.
Emma spun around.
A figure stood in the doorway.
Daniel.
His face was unreadable in the dim light.
“Emma,” he said softly. “You shouldn’t be here.”
---
Truth or Lies?
Emma’s pulse thundered. “What is all this?”
Daniel’s gaze flickered to the scattered letters, then back to her.
His jaw tightened. “I can explain.”
Liam stepped forward. “Yeah? Then start talking.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed. “You have no right to be here.”
Liam scoffed. “And you have no right to be stalking Emma.”
Emma’s voice trembled. “Did you write these?”
Daniel’s expression didn’t change. “Emma, you need to trust me.”
Liam let out a cold laugh. “That’s not an answer.”
Emma clenched her fists. “You told me Liam was dangerous. But these letters—Daniel, what the hell is going on?”
Daniel sighed. “It’s complicated.”
“Then uncomplicate it,” she snapped.
A muscle in his jaw twitched.
Then, suddenly—he stepped toward her.
Liam immediately blocked her, his stance protective. “Stay the hell back.”
Daniel’s gaze darkened. “You don’t understand, Emma.”
Emma swallowed. “Then make me understand.”
Daniel exhaled.
“I didn’t write those letters,” he said finally.
Emma blinked. “What?”
Daniel’s eyes met hers. “Someone is trying to make you doubt me.”
Liam rolled his eyes. “Oh, give me a break—”
“Shut up, Liam,” Daniel snapped. “You’re not innocent in this either.”
Liam’s expression flickered, but he didn’t respond.
Emma’s stomach twisted. “What do you mean?”
Daniel took another step forward.
> This time, Liam didn’t stop him.
“Emma,” Daniel said quietly. “There are things you don’t know. About Liam. About Sophie.”
Emma’s breath caught. “What are you talking about?”
Daniel hesitated. Then—
“She wasn’t trying to leave me.”
Emma’s heart pounded.
“She was trying to leave him.”
Emma whipped around to face Liam.
His face was unreadable.
She took a step back.
“Liam?” she whispered.
Liam didn’t answer.
Daniel’s voice was low. “Ask him what really happened to Sophie.”
The air in the room was thick with tension.
Emma’s fingers curled at her sides.
Someone was lying.
But who?
And worse—
> Who had the most to lose if she found out the truth?
- Writer
