Chapter 6: The Enemy Hidden Inside the Family
Anthony read the letter three times.
Then a fourth.
Because sometimes the truth is too painful to accept the first time.
Layla watched her father’s face change with every sentence.
“What does it say?””
Anthony didn’t answer immediately.
He placed the letter on the desk.
“Your mother knew.””
“Knew what?””
“That someone was watching her.””
Layla felt a cold feeling spread through her.
“Watching her?””
Anthony nodded.
“She wrote that she noticed documents disappearing.””
“What documents?””
“Financial records.””
Layla sat down.
Her mother’s illness.
The hidden trust.
The missing jewelry.
The accusations.
Everything suddenly felt connected.
Anthony continued reading.
“She said she couldn’t trust everyone around her.””
Layla swallowed.
“Who?””
Anthony looked at the final page.
Then stopped.
“What?””
He handed it to her.
At the bottom was one sentence.
“If Michael asks about Layla’s inheritance, do not tell him anything.””
Layla looked up.
“Your brother.””
Anthony nodded slowly.
“My brother.””
The name that had been forgotten for years suddenly returned.
Michael Reed.
The man who once worked with Anthony.
The man who left after their father died.
The man who believed Anthony had taken everything from him.
“He knew about Evelyn’s money,” Anthony whispered.
Layla looked at him.
“Could he have worked with Monica?””
Anthony didn’t answer.
Because the possibility was terrifying.
But before they could continue, the doorbell rang.
Both of them froze.
It was nearly midnight.
Nobody should have been there.
Anthony walked toward the door.
“Stay behind me.””
He opened it.
And standing outside was a man Layla had never seen before.
Older.
Confident.
With the same eyes as Anthony.
“Hello, brother.””
Anthony’s expression turned to shock.
“Michael.””
Michael smiled.
“I heard things got complicated.””
Anthony stepped outside.
“How did you know?””
Michael looked past him.
At Layla.
“So that’s Evelyn’s daughter.””
Layla felt uncomfortable.
Michael smiled.
“She looks just like her mother.””
Anthony’s voice hardened.
“What do you want?””
Michael ignored the question.
“I heard Monica left.””
Nobody responded.
His smile faded slightly.
“You know, Anthony, Evelyn always underestimated how much people wanted what she had.””
Layla stepped forward.
“Did you know about my mother’s trust?””
Michael looked at her.
And that was enough.
He knew.
Anthony saw it too.
“You did.””
Michael sighed.
“I knew Evelyn was protecting something.””
“You threatened her.””
“No.””
Michael smiled.
“But someone did.””
The answer was worse.
Because it meant there was another person.
Another secret.
Another enemy.
Anthony stared at him.
“Why are you here?””
Michael reached into his coat.
He pulled out an old envelope.
“Because I think you deserve to know what really happened before Evelyn died.””
Layla looked at the envelope.
“What is that?””
Michael handed it over.
“Your mother’s final investigation.””
Anthony didn’t take it.
“Why should I believe you?””
Michael looked directly at him.
“Because if I wanted the inheritance, I would have taken it years ago.””
A strange silence followed.
Then Michael added:
“But Monica was never interested in just money.””
Layla’s eyes narrowed.
“What do you mean?””
Michael looked at her.
“She wanted control.””
Anthony’s jaw tightened.
“Where is she now?””
Michael smiled slightly.
“That’s the problem.””
He looked toward the dark road.
“She didn’t leave.””
Everyone froze.
“What?””
Michael lowered his voice.
“She went somewhere to collect what she thought was hers.””
Layla felt her heartbeat increase.
“What did she take?””
Michael looked at Anthony.
“The one thing Evelyn hid that could destroy everyone involved.””
The envelope remained unopened.
Waiting.
Containing answers.
And possibly the truth about the night Layla lost her mother.
Anthony finally picked it up.
But before he opened it, his phone buzzed.
A message.
One sentence.
From Monica.
“I know you found Evelyn’s secret. You’re too late.””
Anthony stared at the screen.
Then another message appeared.
“You should have asked why she trusted Rachel Carter more than you.””
May you like
And suddenly, the past was no longer buried.
It was coming back for all of them. :::
