chapter 4
1004 Words
The Offer
Lyla barely slept that night.
Every time she closed her eyes, she remembered the message.
If you want to know the truth about the woman you call Mom, meet me tomorrow. Come alone.
She wanted answers, but she was scared of what she might discover.
The next morning, she called Chloe.
“Are you awake?” Lyla asked.
“I'm awake. What's wrong?”
“The person who sent those messages sent another one.”
“What did they say?”
Lyla read the message to her.
Chloe was quiet for a moment.
“Lyla, please tell me you're not thinking of going there.”
“I need to know what this person wants.”
“And what if it's a trap?”
“What if they can help Mom?”
Chloe sighed. “At least send me the address before you go. Keep your phone on, and if anything feels wrong, leave immediately.”
“Okay. I promise.”
After the call, Lyla got dressed and checked her phone. A new message contained an address for a business building in the city.
She stared at it before ordering a ride.
As the car moved through the busy streets, her thoughts kept returning to Diana. She couldn't afford another problem, but she couldn't ignore the possibility that this person might help her.
When she arrived, she stood outside the tall building and looked up.
Everything about the place looked expensive. People in formal clothes walked through the entrance, talking on their phones and carrying bags.
Lyla took a deep breath and went inside.
She approached the receptionist and gave the name written in the message. After making a quick call, the receptionist directed her to the lift.
“Twenty-second floor. Someone will meet you there.”
Lyla thanked her and stepped inside.
By the time the doors opened, her palms were sweaty.
A man in a dark suit was waiting in the hallway.
“Miss Lyla?”
“Yes.”
“Please follow me.”
He led her to a private office and opened the door.
A middle-aged man sat behind a large desk. He looked up as Lyla entered.
“Please, have a seat.”
Lyla sat down, keeping her bag close to her.
“Who are you?” she asked. “And why have you been messaging me?”
“My name is Mr. Anderson. I work with several business families, including Jayden's family.”
Lyla frowned. “What does that have to do with me?”
“Nothing directly. At least, not yet.”
She didn't like his answer.
“You said you knew something about Diana. What is it?”
Mr. Anderson folded his hands on the desk.
“First, I want you to understand that I know about her condition. I know the hospital bills are becoming difficult for you to handle.”
Lyla's face tightened.
“How do you know that?”
“I have my sources.”
“That doesn't answer my question.”
“No, it doesn't.”
Lyla stood up.
“If you called me here to play games, I'm leaving.”
“Wait. I can help you.”
She stopped.
“What do you mean?”
“I can pay Diana's medical bills. All of them. You won't have to keep borrowing money or worrying about how to pay for her treatment.”
For a moment, Lyla couldn't speak.
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I need a favour from you.”
Her hope faded.
“What favour?”
“There's something I need you to do for me. If you agree, I'll take care of the bills.”
Lyla shook her head.
“I'm not agreeing to anything without knowing what it is.”
“That's understandable. But before we discuss the favour, there's something else you should know.”
“What?”
Mr. Anderson looked directly at her.
“There's something about Diana you don't know.”
Lyla stared at him.
“What are you talking about?”
“Your mother figure has a past you know very little about.”
“Don't talk about her like you know her!” Lyla snapped. “Diana has done nothing but help me. If you have something to say about her, say it clearly.”
Mr. Anderson remained calm.
“I didn't bring you here to insult her.”
“Then tell me what you know!”
“Not everything can be explained in one conversation.”
Lyla stood up fully, anger rising inside her.
“You contacted me, brought me all the way here, and told me you could help Diana. Now you're saying you know something about her, but you won't tell me what it is?”
“I'm giving you a chance to find out the truth.”
“What truth?”
He opened a drawer and took out a plain envelope.
He placed it on the desk between them.
Lyla stared at it but didn't reach for it.
“What is that?”
“Something that may help you understand.”
“Understand what?”
Mr. Anderson leaned back in his chair.
“Open it when you're ready to face what you might discover.”
Lyla looked at the envelope, then back at him.
Her hands were trembling.
She had come there hoping to find a way to save Diana. Instead, she was leaving with more questions than answers.
She picked up the envelope and held it tightly.
“I'm going to find out what you're hiding,” she said.
Mr. Anderson nodded.
“I expected you would.”
Lyla turned towards the door.
Just before she reached it, his voice stopped her.
“Lyla?”
She looked back.
“Whatever you think you know about Diana, don't assume you know everything.”
Lyla left without answering.
As the lift carried her downstairs, she stared at the envelope in her hands.
She wanted to open it.
But she was terrified of what might be inside.
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