Chapter 14 - They escaped through the woods.By dawn, Evelyn, Daniel, Sophie, Michael, and Claire were hidden in an abandoned church outside town.

Everyone was exhausted.

Everyone was injured.

But for the first time, Evelyn had something she hadn't possessed in years.

The truth.

Or enough of it to fight.

Sophie told Evelyn about the music box.

It had been stored in the attic of her childhood home.

Evelyn remembered.

The red music box had belonged to her mother.

When opened, it played a simple melody.

Her father used to hum along.

But he had always warned Evelyn never to open the bottom compartment.

They returned to the house.

The police were watching the perimeter.

Michael had arranged safe passage.

Evelyn climbed into the attic.

Dust covered everything.

She found the box inside an old trunk.

Red.

Small.

Beautiful.

She turned the key.

Music filled the room.

Sophie began humming.

The same melody.

Evelyn stopped.

“What are you singing?”

“My birthday song.”

“No.”

She stared.

“It isn't a birthday song.”

Sophie shook her head.

“Grandma taught me.”

Evelyn looked at Claire.

Claire's face went pale.

“You knew?”

“Yes.”

“What does it mean?”

Claire whispered:

“Your father taught Sophie the same melody.”

“But she never met him.”

Claire shook her head.

“He recorded it.”

Evelyn opened the bottom compartment.

A tiny key was hidden inside.

Then she remembered.

The words.

When the little girl sings, the door opens.

There was another mechanism inside the box.

The key fit.

A hidden compartment clicked open.

Inside was a USB drive.

And a note.

To Evelyn.

She inserted the drive.

A single video appeared.

Her father.

He looked older than the other recording.

He stared directly into the camera.

“My daughter, by now you know that your mother survived.”

Evelyn cried.

“You also know that your child survived.”

Claire lowered her head.

“Your mother saved her.”

Thomas continued.

“But there is one person you must never trust.”

Evelyn leaned closer.

“Victor?”

Thomas shook his head.

“Michael.”

Evelyn froze.

Michael's face went white.

“No.”

Thomas continued.

“If Michael tells you he loved you, believe him.”

Evelyn stared.

“If he tells you he protected you, believe him.”

Michael began crying.

“But he will never tell you the truth about December 17.”

The video stopped.

Evelyn turned slowly.

“What truth?”

Michael couldn't answer.

Daniel stepped forward.

“Michael.”

Silence.

Finally, Michael whispered:

“I killed your father.”

Evelyn felt the world disappear.

“You?”

“I didn't mean to.”

“How?”

Michael collapsed into a chair.

“Your father confronted me.”

“About Victor?”

“Yes.”

“He knew everything.”

“Yes.”

“He told me to leave you.”

Michael's eyes filled.

“I refused.”

“So what happened?”

Michael looked at Evelyn.

“I fought with him.”

“Then?”

“He fell.”

Evelyn stared.

“You pushed him.”

“I didn't mean to.”

“But he died.”

“Yes.”

“And you covered it up.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Victor arrived.”

Michael's voice broke.

“He told me if I called the police, they would blame me, kill you, and take everything.”

Evelyn closed her eyes.

“You let Olivia help?”

“Yes.”

“You married me knowing what happened.”

“Yes.”

“You cheated on me knowing what happened.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Michael whispered:

“Because Victor told me the only way to keep you alive was to make you hate me.”

Evelyn looked at him.

He continued:

“I thought if you hated me, you would stay away from my world.”

“But you sent me to prison.”

“I know.”

“And now?”

“I was wrong.”

Evelyn stood.

“You were wrong?”

Michael nodded.

“I've spent three years trying to undo it.”

She turned away.

Outside, sirens approached.

Daniel looked through the window.

“Police.”

Evelyn thought it was over.

Then she heard a familiar voice outside.

Victor.

“Evelyn.”

She stepped to the window.

Victor stood in the street.

Surrounded by police.

But he was smiling.

A detective approached him.

Victor handed the detective a folder.

Then he pointed directly at Evelyn.

The detective looked toward the house.

His expression changed.

He drew his weapon.

Daniel whispered:

“What's happening?”

The detective shouted:

“Evelyn Lane!”

Everyone froze.

“You are under arrest for murder.”

Evelyn's blood turned to ice.

“What?”

The detective raised the folder.

“You are being charged with the murder of Thomas Lane.”

Victor smiled.

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