Chapter 9 - Saint Mary's ChapelAt midnight, Emma entered Saint Mary's Chapel alone.
Rain hammered the stained-glass windows.
The old church was almost completely dark.
Emma held a flashlight.
Her heart pounded.
She searched the floor beneath the altar.
Nothing.
Then she remembered her mother's handwriting.
Buried beneath the chapel.
Emma found a loose stone.
She pulled.
A hidden stairway appeared.
She descended.
The underground chamber smelled of dust.
At the bottom was a wooden box.
Emma opened it.
Inside were dozens of documents.
Photographs.
Bank statements.
Medical records.
And one handwritten journal.
Her mother's journal.
Emma opened the first page.
They think they control everything. They don't know I moved the most important evidence.
Emma turned the page.
William believes Lily is dead. Vivian believes she owns Adrian. But neither understands what I discovered.
Emma's breathing stopped.
Then the next page.
Lily is not the key. Emma is.
Emma froze.
She read the sentence again.
Why was she the key?
A sound came from behind her.
Emma turned.
A woman stood at the stairs.
Long dark coat.
Wet hair.
Pale face.
Emma's flashlight trembled.
The woman stepped closer.
"I told you not to come."
Emma stared.
"Lily?"
The woman nodded.
Emma's heart broke open.
"You really are alive."
Lily smiled sadly.
"For now."
Emma ran toward her.
Lily stepped back.
"Don't."
"Why?"
"Because they are watching."
"Who?"
"Everyone."
Emma glanced around.
"Tell me what happened to my mother."
Lily's eyes filled with tears.
"She saved me."
"From Vivian?"
"From everyone."
"What happened?"
Lily took a deep breath.
"Vivian's father was using me as leverage against Adrian's family."
Emma stared.
"You were kidnapped."
"Yes."
"Then how did my mother find you?"
"She found the warehouse."
"Where?"
"Near the harbor."
Emma's heart raced.
"And?"
"My mother found me."
Lily corrected softly.
"Not my mother."
Emma blinked.
"Your mother."
She pulled out an old photograph.
Emma looked.
Her mother holding baby Lily.
Behind them stood William Carter.
And Vivian's father.
Everyone was smiling.
Except William.
He looked terrified.
Emma looked at Lily.
"Why would my father be there?"
"Because he was working with them."
Emma closed her eyes.
"I knew he was corrupt."
Lily shook her head.
"It's worse."
"How?"
Lily whispered:
"Your father ordered your mother's death."
Emma staggered backward.
"No."
"He found out your mother planned to expose Project Eden."
"Then why did she survive long enough to hide you?"
"She didn't."
Emma's breath caught.
"What?"
Lily looked at the journal.
"Your mother was alive when they came for her."
Emma's hands shook.
"Where was my father?"
"Waiting."
"Waiting for what?"
Lily answered:
"For Adrian to choose."
Emma stared.
"Choose what?"
"Save you."
A cold chill spread through her body.
"Your mother offered your father a deal."
"What deal?"
"She would give him the evidence if he promised not to hurt you."
Emma looked down at the journal.
The final page was missing.
"Who took it?"
Lily's eyes suddenly moved toward the entrance.
"Someone came."
Footsteps echoed above them.
Emma whispered:
"Who?"
May you like
Lily's face went white.
"Vivian."
