Chapter 8: The Secret Emily Left Behind
I didn't sleep.
Not because I was scared.
Because I was afraid the truth would be worse.
The next morning, I went to Sterling Tower.
The place I had built with my own hands.
Usually, employees smiled when I walked through the lobby.
That day, everyone became silent.
They knew something was wrong.
Jonathan's office was on the top floor.
His assistant tried to stop me.
"Mr. Sterling, he isn't available.""
I didn't slow down.
"I didn't ask if he was available.""
I opened the door.
Jonathan was standing by the window.
He didn't look surprised.
That was the first thing I noticed.
"You knew I would come.""
He turned around.
"Eventually.""
I stared at him.
"Where is my daughter?""
Jonathan sighed.
"She's safe.""
I almost laughed.
"Safe?""
I stepped closer.
"You helped someone hurt my child.""
His expression changed.
"Richard, you don't understand.""
"Then explain.""
Silence.
Then he sat down.
"You think Vanessa is the mastermind.""
"Isn't she?""
"No.""
That answer shocked me.
Jonathan looked exhausted.
"Vanessa was desperate. But she wasn't the one controlling everything.""
I stared at him.
"Then who?""
He didn't answer.
Instead, he opened a drawer.
Inside was a small box.
He pushed it toward me.
"I found this after Emily died.""
My hands froze.
Emily.
My wife.
The name alone hurt.
"Why didn't you give it to me?""
"Because she told me not to.""
I opened the box.
Inside was a letter.
My hands shook as I unfolded it.
Richard,
If you are reading this, something happened that I couldn't stop.
I looked up.
The room felt smaller.
Emily had written this.
After that day.
After the accident.
I kept reading.
She wrote about someone inside the company.
Someone who wanted control.
Someone who believed our family was standing in the way.
Then one sentence made my blood turn cold.
*Protect Sophie from anyone who says they love her too quickly.*
I slowly lowered the paper.
"Who was she afraid of?""
Jonathan looked at me.
"I don't know.""
"You expect me to believe that?""
He looked away.
"I know more than I told you.""
My anger exploded.
"You let me believe my wife died without telling me there were threats?""
Jonathan stood.
"Because Emily begged me.""
"Why?""
"Because she thought telling you would put Sophie in more danger.""
The room went silent.
Then Jonathan said something I never expected.
"Richard, Vanessa didn't enter your life by accident.""
I looked at him.
"What does that mean?""
"She was introduced to you.""
"By who?""
Jonathan hesitated.
Then he said:
"Someone who knew exactly how to break your family apart.""
Before I could respond, my phone buzzed.
A security alert.
From home.
I opened it.
A live camera feed appeared.
Sophie was sitting in the living room.
A woman was standing behind her.
My heart stopped.
Vanessa.
But Vanessa wasn't looking at Sophie.
She was looking directly at the camera.
At me.
Then she smiled.
And mouthed three words.
May you like
"You were warned.""
The screen went black.
