A Love Written in the Rain

Chapter 11: The Missing Brother

Ethan stared at the old photograph in silence.

His hands trembled.

Emma had never seen him look so vulnerable.

"The boy in the picture..."

"...is my younger brother, Noah."

Emma frowned.

"You said he disappeared."

Ethan nodded slowly.

"He was only ten years old."

"It happened fifteen years ago."

"The police searched for months."

"They never found him."

Emma gently placed her hand over Ethan's.

"I'm so sorry."

Ethan looked down.

"I always blamed myself."

"I promised to protect him."

"But I failed."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Ethan picked up the envelope again.

"There has to be another clue."

Emma carefully examined it.

Inside was a small piece of paper folded into four parts.

She opened it.

Only one sentence was written.

**'Some secrets should stay buried.'**

Ethan's expression turned cold.

"This isn't just a threat."

"It's a message."

"A message from someone who knows what happened to Noah."

...

The next morning, Ethan and Daniel reviewed every old file related to Noah's disappearance.

Most of the documents contained nothing useful.

Until Daniel found one missing report.

"Sir..."

"This file was removed from the archives."

"By whom?"

Daniel checked the digital records.

His eyes widened.

"It was accessed yesterday."

"Yesterday?"

"Yes."

"But only one person had permission."

"Who?"

Daniel looked directly at Ethan.

"Your father."

Ethan couldn't believe it.

"My father?"

Daniel nodded.

"He never told you."

Ethan immediately left the office.

He drove straight to the Brooks family mansion.

Richard Brooks was sitting in his office when Ethan entered.

"We need to talk."

Richard slowly looked up.

"I know why you're here."

"You know about Noah."

Richard remained silent.

"Answer me!"

After a long pause, Richard stood.

"There are truths that destroy families."

"I don't care."

"I deserve to know."

Richard walked toward the window.

"When Noah disappeared..."

"...he wasn't taken by a stranger."

Ethan felt his heart stop.

"What do you mean?"

Richard closed his eyes.

"He left because of me."

Before Ethan could ask another question, Daniel called.

"Sir!"

"What is it?"

"We have a problem."

"What happened?"

"Emma has disappeared."

Ethan froze.

"What?"

"She left work an hour ago."

"She never arrived home."

"And her phone has been turned off."

For a second...

The world around Ethan seemed to stop.

Whoever had been watching them...

Had finally made their move.

**End of Chapter 11**