Chapter 25: The Night Before Everything Fell Apart
The photograph felt heavier than it should have.
A single image.
A single moment.
And somehow, it threatened to destroy everything I thought I knew.
Grandma standing beside my father.
The date.
The day before he died.
I stared at it until my eyes hurt.
"No.""
The word escaped my mouth.
Nobody spoke.
Not Emily.
Not Samuel.
Not Victor.
Not Harold.
Even they seemed shocked.
I turned toward Grandma.
But she wasn't there.
My stomach dropped.
"Where's Grandma?""
Nobody answered.
I looked around.
She had disappeared.
Again.
Just like everyone else.
Just like every person who carried a secret too heavy to explain.
"She knew.""
My voice was quiet.
Emily stepped closer.
"Daniel...""
"No.""
I held up the photograph.
"She knew.""
Samuel looked at the picture.
"I don't understand.""
I looked at him.
"Neither do I.""
And that was the worst part.
After everything.
After every confession.
After every revelation.
I still didn't understand my own family.
We found Grandma back at the old house.
The same place where she had disappeared before.
She was sitting in the kitchen.
The same kitchen where she had made pancakes when I was a child.
The same kitchen where she had told me everything would be okay.
Except now...
Nothing was okay.
She looked up when we entered.
She saw the photograph in my hand.
And immediately knew.
"You found it.""
I stopped.
"You knew about this?""
She didn't answer.
That was enough.
My anger rose.
"Grandma.""
She looked at me.
"I wanted to tell you.""
"When?""
Her eyes filled with tears.
"When I could explain.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Everyone always needs more time.""
I placed the photograph on the table.
"Explain.""
She looked at it.
Then closed her eyes.
"Your father came to see me that night.""
"Why?""
"Because he knew something was wrong.""
"With the company?""
She nodded.
"With everything.""
I sat down.
"Start from the beginning.""
Grandma looked older than I had ever seen her.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
Like decades of guilt had finally become too heavy.
"Edward came to me because he discovered someone was planning to destroy the family.""
"Harold.""
"Yes.""
"And Victor.""
"Yes.""
I waited.
"But he also suspected someone else.""
My heart tightened.
"Who?""
Grandma looked away.
"Me.""
The room became silent.
I stared.
"What?""
"He suspected I had helped Harold.""
"Did you?""
"No.""
The answer came immediately.
Too immediately.
Like she had waited years to say it.
"No, Daniel.""
She reached for my hand.
I almost pulled away.
But I didn't.
"I never betrayed your father.""
"Then why did he suspect you?""
"Because I made a mistake.""
"What mistake?""
She looked at the photograph.
"I trusted someone.""
Again.
That phrase.
The same poison that destroyed everyone.
"Who?""
Grandma's hands trembled.
"Laura.""
I froze.
"My father's second wife?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
I felt confused.
"Why would you trust her?""
"Because she loved Edward.""
I frowned.
"She was his wife.""
"Yes.""
Grandma looked at me.
"And because she was your sister's mother.""
The mention of Emily made everything heavier.
"What happened?""
Grandma took a deep breath.
"Laura came to me weeks before Edward died.""
"Why?""
"She was scared.""
"Of Harold?""
"Yes.""
"Then why did she betray him?""
Grandma shook her head.
"She didn't.""
I looked at her.
"What?""
"Laura was trying to protect Edward.""
My mind struggled.
"Then why does everyone keep making her sound guilty?""
"Because someone wanted us to believe that.""
"Who?""
Grandma didn't answer.
She looked at the photograph.
"Edward discovered Laura had evidence.""
"What evidence?""
"Proof that Harold was controlling Victor.""
"Then why hide it?""
"Because the evidence also showed something worse.""
"What?""
Grandma's voice became quiet.
"Someone in our family knew.""
I stared.
"Who?""
She looked at me.
"Someone who had been protecting Harold.""
The room felt colder.
"Who?""
Before she answered, the door opened.
Everyone turned.
Robert stood there.
But this time, he looked different.
Terrified.
"Don't say the name.""
Grandma looked at him.
"Robert...""
"Don't.""
He stepped inside.
"Daniel doesn't need another shock.""
I stood.
"Then stop giving me reasons to distrust everyone.""
Robert looked broken.
"You deserve the truth.""
"Then tell me.""
He looked at Grandma.
Then at me.
"The person who protected Harold...""
He swallowed.
"...was your grandfather's closest family member.""
I froze.
"Who?""
Robert looked at Grandma.
May you like
And Grandma whispered:
"Your uncle Michael.""
