Chapter Ten — The Lie Between Us
1449 Words
Chapter Ten — The Lie Between Us
Sandra stared at the message on her phone.
Don’t trust anyone in the Hayes family.
Not even Emma.
Her hands began to tremble.
Emma noticed immediately.
“What is it?”
She looked at him.
“I received a message.”
“From who?”
“I don’t know.”
She handed him the phone.
Emma read the words.
His expression changed.
“Someone is trying to turn you against me.”
“How do you know?”
“Because they don’t want us together.”
Sandra looked away.
“What if they’re telling the truth?”
Emma stared at her.
“You believe I would hurt you?”
“No.”
Her voice broke.
“I don’t know what to believe anymore.”
Emma stepped closer.
“Sandra, look at me.”
She raised her eyes.
“I have never lied to you about loving you.”
“But you’ve kept things from me.”
“So have you.”
She froze.
“What?”
Emma sighed.
“You knew your father had a connection to my family before you told me.”
“I didn’t know everything.”
“But you knew something.”
Sandra lowered her head.
“I was scared.”
“So was I.”
He looked at the photograph.
“We’re both trying to understand something that happened before we were even born.”
Sandra wiped her tears.
“I don’t want secrets between us.”
“Neither do I.”
Emma took her hand.
“Then from now on, no more secrets.”
She nodded.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
They embraced.
But neither knew that the biggest secret had already been hidden from both of them.
Across the city, Daniel Williams sat inside an abandoned warehouse.
His hands were tied.
Marcus stood in front of him.
“You should have stayed quiet.”
Daniel glared at him.
“You work for Richard.”
Marcus smiled.
“I work for whoever pays me.”
“You helped him destroy my family.”
Marcus shook his head.
“You’re still blaming Richard for everything.”
“Because he is responsible.”
“Not for everything.”
Daniel’s eyes narrowed.
“What does that mean?”
Marcus placed an old photograph on the table.
Daniel stared at it.
The same photograph Emma had found.
His face changed.
“Where did you get that?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“That’s impossible.”
Marcus leaned closer.
“You know the man standing beside your wife.”
Daniel looked away.
“He’s dead.”
Marcus smiled.
“That’s what Richard wants everyone to believe.”
Daniel’s heart pounded.
“Who is he?”
Marcus didn’t answer.
Instead, he said:
“Tell me where the original documents are.”
Daniel shook his head.
“I destroyed them.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“I did.”
Marcus grabbed him by the collar.
“Where are they?”
Daniel remained silent.
Marcus released him.
“You still don’t understand.”
“What?”
“Your daughter is already involved.”
Daniel’s face went pale.
“Leave Sandra alone.”
“Then tell us where the documents are.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“I will never help you.”
Marcus walked toward the door.
“Then let’s hope your daughter never discovers what really happened to her mother.”
The door closed.
Daniel sat alone.
A tear rolled down his cheek.
He had spent twenty years protecting Sandra from the truth.
Now the truth was coming for her.
Meanwhile, Emma and Sandra returned to the city the following morning.
They went to Sandra’s father’s apartment.
The door was unlocked.
Sandra pushed it open.
“Dad?”
No answer.
She walked inside.
Everything looked normal.
Except for one thing.
The kitchen chair was overturned.
Sandra’s breathing became unsteady.
“Emma.”
He followed her.
“We need to leave.”
“No.”
She walked toward the bedroom.
“Dad!”
His clothes were still there.
His phone was missing.
His wallet was on the table.
Sandra began crying.
“He wouldn’t leave without these.”
Emma checked the room.
“We need to call the police.”
Sandra shook her head.
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t know who I can trust.”
Emma looked at her.
“Then trust me.”
She stared at him.
“I do.”
He pulled her into his arms.
“I’ll find him.”
They searched the apartment.
Behind an old cabinet, Emma found a small metal box.
He opened it.
Inside were several documents and an old key.
Sandra picked up the papers.
They were photographs, newspaper clippings, and handwritten notes.
She read one of them.
Richard Hayes — financial records.
Another said:
Elizabeth Hayes — witness.
Then she found something that made her heart stop.
A photograph of her mother holding a baby.
Sandra stared at it.
“That’s me.”
Emma looked closer.
On the back was a handwritten sentence.
If anything happens to me, protect my daughter from the Hayes family.
Sandra began crying.
Emma held her.
“I’m sorry.”
She shook her head.
“Why did my mother hate your family?”
“Maybe she didn’t.”
He pointed at another document.
Sandra looked.
It was a letter addressed to Daniel.
Daniel,
If you are reading this, then I failed to protect our daughter. The truth about the Hayes family is bigger than we thought. But there is one person you can trust.
The letter ended with a name.
Elizabeth.
Sandra stared at Emma.
“Your mother.”
He nodded.
“We have to find her.”
Before they could move, Emma’s phone rang.
His mother’s name appeared on the screen.
He answered.
“Mom?”
Elizabeth’s voice was barely audible.
“Emma.”
“Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Mom, we need your help.”
“I know.”
“Then tell us the truth.”
There was silence.
Finally, she whispered:
“Your father isn’t the only person responsible.”
Emma froze.
“What does that mean?”
“Come to me alone.”
“When?”
“Tonight.”
“Where?”
“The old chapel near the river.”
The call ended.
Sandra looked at him.
“What did she say?”
“She wants me to meet her tonight.”
“Alone?”
Emma nodded.
Sandra’s expression tightened.
“That sounds dangerous.”
“It probably is.”
“Then I’m coming.”
“No.”
“Emma—”
“If something happens, I need you safe.”
She grabbed his hand.
“No more protecting me by leaving me behind.”
Emma looked into her eyes.
Then he smiled sadly.
“You’re stubborn.”
“And you’re not going without me.”
He laughed softly.
“Fine.”
That evening, they arrived at the old chapel.
The building was dark and abandoned.
Emma held Sandra’s hand as they walked inside.
“Mom?”
No answer.
They waited.
Minutes passed.
Then they heard footsteps.
Elizabeth appeared from the shadows.
She looked frightened.
“Mom?”
She rushed toward Emma.
“You shouldn’t have come.”
Emma stared at her.
“You told me to.”
Elizabeth looked at Sandra.
Then her expression changed.
She stepped closer.
“Oh my God.”
Sandra frowned.
“What?”
Elizabeth touched her face.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“You’re exactly like your mother.”
Sandra stepped back.
“You knew her.”
Elizabeth nodded.
“Better than you know.”
“Then tell me what happened.”
Elizabeth looked toward the chapel doors.
“We don’t have much time.”
Emma stepped closer.
“Mom, what are you hiding?”
Elizabeth took a deep breath.
“Your father did not cause the accident that killed Sandra’s mother.”
Emma froze.
Sandra’s heart stopped.
“Then who did?”
Elizabeth looked at them.
“The man in that photograph.”
Sandra whispered:
“Who is he?”
Elizabeth’s voice trembled.
“His name is Victor Williams.”
Sandra stared at her.
“Williams?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“Your mother’s brother.”
Sandra’s face went pale.
“My uncle?”
“Yes.”
Emma looked confused.
“But Daniel said his brother disappeared.”
“He did.”
Elizabeth lowered her voice.
“But he didn’t disappear.”
A sound came from outside.
Elizabeth turned toward the door.
Someone was approaching.
Her face lost its color.
“He’s here.”
Emma looked at her.
“Who?”
Elizabeth whispered:
“Victor.”
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