Chapter 8 - Sarah Cole's funeral was held under gray skies.Evelyn stood at the back.

She didn't know the woman.

Yet she felt like she knew her better than most people who had attended.

Sarah had spent three years investigating the case.

She had discovered the altered toxicology report.

She had traced the money.

She had uncovered the shell companies.

And now she was dead.

Daniel stood beside Evelyn.

“You shouldn't be here.”

“Why?”

“Because if someone sees you…”

“I don't care anymore.”

Michael stood several rows ahead.

He looked broken.

Evelyn didn't trust him.

But she no longer knew whether she wanted him dead or alive.

That frightened her more than anything.

After the funeral, an old woman approached Evelyn.

“Are you Evelyn Lane?”

“Yes.”

“My name is Margaret Cole.”

Sarah's mother.

She handed Evelyn an envelope.

“Sarah wanted me to give you this if she died.”

Evelyn looked at Daniel.

He nodded.

She opened it.

A handwritten note.

Evelyn,

If you're reading this, I failed.

Do not trust Michael completely.

Evelyn's heart tightened.

He knows who killed your father.

He also knows why.

But he isn't telling you everything.

The final sentence was underlined twice.

Ask him about the night before your wedding.

Evelyn looked up.

Michael was gone.

She found him later at the safe house.

“What happened the night before my wedding?”

Michael froze.

“What?”

“Sarah Cole told me to ask.”

His face changed.

Daniel watched from the doorway.

Michael finally sat down.

“That night, your father called me.”

“Why?”

“He told me he had proof.”

“Proof of what?”

“That Victor was planning to take the trust.”

“What else?”

Michael stared at the floor.

“He told me Olivia was involved.”

Evelyn closed her eyes.

“You knew before the wedding.”

“Yes.”

“And you still married me.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Michael looked at her.

“Because your father asked me to protect you.”

She laughed.

“By marrying me?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did you betray me?”

“I didn't.”

“You slept with Olivia.”

“I know.”

“You planned the bedroom.”

“I know.”

“You sent me to prison.”

Michael's eyes filled.

“I thought it was the only way.”

Evelyn's voice became low.

“Stop saying that.”

He fell silent.

“Tell me the truth.”

Michael nodded.

“The night before the wedding, your father gave me a drive.”

“What was on it?”

“Names.”

“Which names?”

“Everyone involved.”

“Victor?”

“Yes.”

“Olivia?”

“Yes.”

Michael hesitated.

“And one more.”

“Who?”

He looked at Evelyn.

“Your mother.”

Evelyn froze.

“My mother died when I was twelve.”

“I know.”

“She wasn't involved.”

Michael said nothing.

“Michael.”

“She wasn't dead.”

Evelyn's face went white.

“What?”

“She disappeared.”

“No.”

“Your father told everyone she died.”

“Why?”

“Because he was protecting her.”

“From whom?”

Michael looked at Daniel.

Then back at Evelyn.

“Victor.”

Evelyn's mind raced.

Her mother had supposedly died from a sudden illness.

Her father's death was now suspicious.

Olivia was involved.

Victor was involved.

Michael had lied.

And now her mother might still be alive.

Evelyn whispered:

“Where is she?”

Michael stood.

“I don't know.”

“That isn't good enough.”

“She disappeared twenty-four hours after your wedding.”

“Did you see her?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Three years ago.”

Evelyn's heart stopped.

“Where?”

Michael looked at her.

“In prison.”

She stared.

“Someone visited you?”

“Yes.”

“Who?”

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Michael's answer shattered whatever remained of Evelyn's certainty.

“Your mother.”