Chapter 6 - REBECCA’S CONFESSIONI stared at Rebecca.
My husband's sister.
The woman who had held me at his funeral.
The woman who had told me to be strong.
The woman who had once sworn that Daniel was dead.
She looked completely calm.
“Where is Grace?”
Rebecca lowered the gun slightly.
“You always were stubborn.”
“Sophie, behind me.”
Rebecca laughed.
“Still protecting your daughter.”
She looked at Sophie.
“Do you know what your father did?”
Sophie shook her head.
Rebecca's expression softened.
“He loved you.”
“Then why did he disappear?”
“He didn't.”
I felt my chest tighten.
“You knew?”
“Yes.”
“You lied to me.”
“Yes.”
“For five years?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because if you knew, you'd go looking for him.”
“I should have.”
“No.”
Rebecca took a step forward.
“You'd be dead.”
The police officer raised his weapon.
Rebecca's men appeared behind her.
Three of them.
The officer slowly lowered his gun.
Rebecca smiled.
“Good choice.”
I looked at Thomas.
He whispered,
“Don't trust her.”
Rebecca heard him.
She shot him in the shoulder.
Sophie screamed.
Thomas collapsed.
Rebecca walked to the table and took the black drive.
“You have no idea what this contains.”
“Then tell me.”
Rebecca looked at me.
“It contains the reason your daughter is alive.”
“You said Grace was yours to protect.”
“She is.”
“Then why did you take her?”
“I didn't.”
Rebecca's voice cracked.
“For once, Karen, listen to me.”
She looked genuinely afraid.
“I am trying to keep her alive.”
I stared at her.
“Who has her?”
Rebecca shook her head.
“The people who killed Daniel.”
“Daniel isn't dead.”
Rebecca's face changed.
She didn't answer.
I stepped forward.
“You knew he was alive.”
“Yes.”
“Where is he?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“No.”
She turned toward Sophie.
“Your father disappeared because they were coming for you.”
Sophie looked confused.
“For me?”
Rebecca nodded.
“They believed your family carried something unique.”
“What?”
“DNA.”
I felt sick.
Thomas had said the same thing.
Rebecca continued.
“Daniel spent years protecting you.”
“Then why didn't he come home?”
“Because he knew that if he did, they'd follow him.”
“Who are they?”
Rebecca looked toward the window.
“The people who own the resort.”
I frowned.
“The resort?”
“Yes.”
“The resort where Sophie worked?”
Rebecca nodded.
“It wasn't a coincidence that she got the job.”
Sophie froze.
“What?”
“You were recruited.”
Sophie stared at her.
“I applied for that job.”
Rebecca shook her head.
“They selected you.”
A terrifying silence filled the room.
I suddenly understood.
The summer job.
The resort.
Emily.
Grace.
Daniel.
All connected.
Rebecca approached Sophie.
“They've been watching you since you were born.”
Sophie stepped backward.
“Why?”
Rebecca looked at her.
“Because your father believed you were the next target.”
Then Rebecca's phone rang.
She answered.
“Yes?”
A pause.
Then her expression changed.
“What do you mean she's gone?”
I felt my heart stop.
Rebecca looked at me.
“They lost the baby.”
“Who?”
She didn't answer.
A voice crackled over the phone.
Rebecca whispered,
“No.”
Then she looked directly at me.
“They found Daniel.”
I stared at her.
“Where?”
Rebecca slowly lowered the phone.
“At the lake.”
She paused.
“He's asking for you.”
I could barely breathe.
“Is he alive?”
Rebecca nodded.
“He's alive.”
May you like
Then her expression darkened.
“But he's not alone.”
