Chapter 3 - THE SECRET BENEATH THE HOUSEJosiah's mansion had survived explosions, assassinations, police raids, and rival attacks.

But nothing had ever shaken its foundation like one sentence from an eight-year-old girl.

“I'm not your daughter?”

Mia stood in the middle of the living room.

Small.

Barefoot.

Terrified.

Josiah stared at her.

His entire world had narrowed to that single face.

“You are my daughter.”

His voice broke.

Mia's eyes filled.

“But the picture…”

Josiah looked at the photograph.

It showed his late wife, Elena.

She was standing beside another woman.

And in Elena's arms was a baby.

The baby had a tiny crescent-shaped birthmark above her left eyebrow.

Mia had the exact same mark.

That should have settled everything.

Except there was another photograph.

Mia was not in it.

Willow examined the back.

A hospital name.

A date.

Eight years ago.

And one room number.

“St. Vincent's.”

Josiah's jaw tightened.

“That hospital burned.”

Willow looked up.

“When?”

“Three months after Mia was born.”

“Convenient.”

Josiah's eyes narrowed.

“You're accusing someone?”

“No.”

Willow held up the photo.

“I'm saying someone wants you to believe Mia isn't yours.”

Josiah paused.

Mia looked between them.

Then she whispered.

“Mommy knew.”

Josiah crouched.

“What did your mother know?”

Mia hesitated.

“She used to cry in the bathroom.”

Josiah's heart clenched.

“Why?”

“She said Daddy couldn't know.”

“Know what?”

Mia looked at Willow.

Then said:

“She said someone in the house was lying.”

The room went silent.

Josiah immediately turned toward security.

“Search the house.”

Thirty men moved at once.

Every room.

Every hallway.

Every camera.

Every closet.

Willow stayed beside Mia.

She noticed the girl staring toward the fireplace.

“You've been there before?”

Mia nodded.

“Mommy had a box.”

“What kind?”

“Red.”

Willow walked toward the fireplace.

“Where?”

Mia pointed.

Behind an old portrait.

Josiah pulled it aside.

Nothing.

Mia shook her head.

“No. Under it.”

They searched the stone floor.

Nothing.

Then Willow noticed an unusual scratch.

“Move that rug.”

They did.

A metal latch appeared.

Josiah stared.

“I've owned this house for fifteen years.”

“And you never knew?”

“No.”

He pulled it open.

Inside was a small red box.

Dust covered the lid.

His hands trembled.

He opened it.

Letters.

Medical documents.

A USB drive.

And a folded newspaper clipping.

The headline read:

LOCAL WOMAN DIES IN PRIVATE HOSPITAL FIRE

Josiah unfolded the letter.

Elena's handwriting.

His breath caught.

Josiah, if you're reading this, I am already dead.

He stopped.

Mia moved closer.

Willow took the letter.

She continued reading aloud.

There is someone close to us who wants our daughter. I don't know who I can trust.

The next paragraph had been torn away.

Only one sentence remained.

The person you trust most is the one who—

The rest was missing.

Josiah squeezed the paper.

“Who tore this?”

A voice answered from the doorway.

“I did.”

Everyone turned.

His head of security.

Caleb.

Standing there.

Gun in hand.

Mia screamed.

Josiah raised his weapon.

“You.”

Caleb smiled.

“I was going to wait longer.”

Willow pulled Mia behind her.

Caleb glanced at her.

“You weren't supposed to be here.”

Willow froze.

“You know me?”

“No.”

But he looked at her too quickly.

That was enough.

Josiah stepped forward.

“What did Elena find?”

Caleb's smile disappeared.

“Your wife found out who Mia really was.”

Josiah's voice became deadly.

“Tell me.”

Caleb said nothing.

Josiah fired.

The bullet struck the wall beside Caleb's head.

“Next one won't miss.”

Caleb slowly lowered his gun.

“You really want the truth?”

“Yes.”

“Then ask yourself why Elena was killed three days before she planned to leave you.”

Silence.

Josiah stopped breathing.

“What?”

Caleb smiled.

“She wasn't killed by your enemies.”

He looked directly at Josiah.

“She was killed by someone in this house.”

Mia began crying.

Willow hugged her.

Josiah's face turned murderous.

“Who?”

Caleb reached for his phone.

Then an explosion shook the mansion.

Windows shattered.

The lights died.

Smoke filled the corridor.

Caleb disappeared.

Josiah grabbed Mia.

“Willow!”

“I'm here!”

They stumbled through the smoke.

Then Mia screamed.

“Daddy!”

A shadow emerged behind Josiah.

A hand grabbed him.

He turned.

Adrian.

Alive.

Blood running from his shoulder.

Adrian stared at Mia.

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Then said:

“It's time she knew who her real father is.”