Chapter 7 - DanielI couldn't move.
My father looked exactly as he had the last day I saw him alive.
Gray suit.
Silver watch.
Cold eyes.
Same crooked smile.
He looked at Lily.
Then at me.
“You've become soft.”
I couldn't speak.
He walked closer.
“You always were.”
Victoria lowered her weapon.
“You said you wouldn't hurt him.”
Daniel smiled.
“I won't.”
He looked at Ryan, bleeding on the floor.
“Because he is much more useful alive.”
Ryan groaned.
Grace's eyes opened.
She looked at Daniel.
Then at Victoria.
“Please…”
Daniel crouched beside her.
“You've caused quite a problem.”
Grace spat blood.
“You killed Emily.”
Daniel's smile vanished.
“I didn't.”
“You ordered it.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“Emily was killed by the person you trusted most.”
I looked at Victoria.
Daniel smiled.
“Not her.”
My heart sank.
“Then who?”
He leaned closer.
“Your mother.”
The room went silent.
“That's impossible.”
“She betrayed us.”
“She's tied up somewhere!”
“No.”
Daniel looked at the silver bracelet in my hand.
“She is waiting for you.”
He told me the truth.
My mother had helped Grandfather hide evidence before the old man died.
She had spent years protecting it.
When Emily discovered the truth, Mother took her underground.
She tried to expose Daniel.
But someone betrayed them.
Someone from inside the family.
“Who?” I asked.
Daniel smiled.
“Your mother.”
My head spun.
I couldn't tell which lie was real anymore.
Then Lily screamed.
“Stop!”
Everyone turned.
She was staring at Daniel.
She began shaking.
“You were in Mommy's room.”
Daniel's expression changed.
“You remember me?”
Lily nodded.
“You said Mommy had to sleep.”
Grace stared at her.
I felt sick.
“What did you do to Emily?”
Daniel stepped toward Lily.
I blocked him.
“Don't touch her.”
For the first time, his smile disappeared.
Then every light in the warehouse went out.
Gunfire erupted.
People screamed.
When emergency lights returned, Daniel was gone.
Victoria was gone.
Ryan was unconscious.
Grace was still tied to the chair.
And Lily was missing.
I ran outside.
Rain hammered the pavement.
No Lily.
No Daniel.
No Victoria.
Only one object lay in the mud.
May you like
Her silver bracelet.
Broken in half.
