Chapter 9: The Guest At The Door
I stepped away from the door.
Everyone saw my expression change.
“What is it?”” Emily asked.
I couldn’t answer.
My eyes stayed fixed on the person standing outside.
The person who had been invited into my home.
The person who had comforted my family after Rachel died.
The person who had cried at her funeral.
Clara whispered:
“Mr. Carter?””
I slowly turned.
“Stay back.””
The knocking came again.
Three slow knocks.
Not impatient.
Not afraid.
Almost like whoever was outside knew exactly what was happening inside.
Michael moved closer.
“Who is it?””
I didn’t respond.
Emily looked through the window.
Then she gasped.
“No…”
Everyone turned.
“Who?””
She stepped away.
“Dad…”
Her voice shook.
“It’s Grandpa Richard.””
My stomach dropped.
My father.
The same man who had just warned me not to trust Michael.
The same man who might have been hiding the truth.
I unlocked the door.
Michael grabbed my arm.
“Don’t.””
I looked at him.
“If he knows we’re here, he already knows too much.””
I opened the door.
Richard stood outside.
Perfectly dressed.
Calm.
Not a single sign of panic.
He looked at me.
Then at Michael.
And smiled.
“So.””
His voice was cold.
“The family reunion finally happened.””
Nobody spoke.
Richard stepped inside.
“I was wondering how long it would take before the truth reached you.””
My anger exploded.
“You knew.””
“Yes.””
“You knew Michael was alive.””
“Yes.””
“You knew Rachel was investigating you.””
A pause.
“Yes.””
Emily looked disgusted.
“How can you stand there and admit it?””
Richard looked at her.
“Because I’m tired of pretending.””
I stared at him.
“What did you do to Rachel?””
Richard sighed.
“You still think everything is simple.””
“No.””
I stepped closer.
“I think my wife died because someone wanted her silent.””
Richard looked at Michael.
“Tell him what you didn’t tell him.””
Michael’s expression changed.
“What?””
Richard smiled.
“Tell him why Rachel trusted you.””
Silence.
I looked at Michael.
“What is he talking about?””
Michael didn’t answer.
That was the first time I saw fear in his eyes.
Richard continued.
“Tell him you weren’t helping Rachel expose me.””
My heart pounded.
“What?””
Richard looked at me.
“Tell him you were helping her disappear.””
The room went still.
I turned toward Michael.
“Is that true?””
Michael looked away.
“Daniel…”
“Is it true?””
He finally answered.
“Yes.””
Emily stepped back.
“Dad…”
Michael’s voice broke.
“But not the way he wants you to believe.””
Richard laughed.
“Of course.””
Michael looked at me.
“Rachel wanted to leave.””
My chest tightened.
“Leave?””
“She discovered everything. She knew Richard would come after her.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
“She wanted to take you and the girls somewhere safe.””
My eyes filled.
“Then why didn’t she?””
Michael looked at the floor.
“Because she never got the chance.””
Richard’s phone suddenly rang.
He looked at the screen.
Then smiled.
“Perfect timing.””
He answered.
“Yes?””
A few seconds passed.
Then his expression changed.
Not fear.
Not surprise.
Anger.
“What do you mean the file is gone?””
Everyone heard it.
Richard realized his mistake too late.
Emily immediately grabbed her phone.
“Dad.””
She looked at the screen.
“I recorded that.””
Richard stared at her.
For the first time, his confidence disappeared.
Emily held up the phone.
“You just admitted there was a file.””
Richard moved toward her.
I stepped between them.
“Don’t.””
My father stopped.
Then he smiled slightly.
“You really think you know the truth now?””
I stared at him.
“What else is there?””
Richard looked at Emily’s phone.
Then at me.
“The file Rachel left behind doesn’t prove I hurt her.””
He paused.
“It proves she lied to you.””
My heart sank.
“What?””
Richard whispered:
“Your wife wasn’t running away from me.””
May you like
He looked directly into my eyes.
“She was running away from you.””
