Chapter 18: The Person Behind the Mask
I went back to the hospital.
Not because I trusted my father completely.
Not anymore.
But because I needed answers.
The problem with secrets was that once you discovered one lie, every truth started looking suspicious.
My father was awake.
He looked at me.
"You found Evelyn.""
I stopped.
"How did you know?""
His expression told me everything.
"Because Daniel found her too.""
My stomach dropped.
"You knew?""
He looked away.
"Yes.""
I couldn't believe it.
"Why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I was trying to keep you alive.""
I laughed.
"Everyone says that.""
His eyes met mine.
"But this time it's true.""
The seriousness in his voice stopped me.
"What happened to Evelyn?""
"I don't know.""
"Daniel said someone else did it.""
My father went silent.
"Who?""
He didn't answer.
"Dad.""
He closed his eyes.
"Michael, there is one thing you need to understand.""
"What?""
"Your mother trusted people.""
"Yes.""
"Some betrayed her.""
"Yes.""
"But some betrayed her because they had no choice.""
I frowned.
"What does that mean?""
"It means not everyone who lied was your enemy.""
I sat down.
"Then tell me who was.""
He looked at me.
"I can't.""
My frustration exploded.
"Why?""
"Because if I say the name...""
He stopped.
"Then what?""
His voice became quiet.
"You will never see them the same way again.""
I stared.
"Is that supposed to scare me?""
"No.""
He looked at me.
"Because you already know.""
The words made no sense.
"What?""
"You've already met them.""
My heart began pounding.
The people at the wedding.
The people around me.
The people I trusted.
Vanessa.
Diane.
The guests.
My father watched my face.
Then said:
"The person who betrayed your mother has been watching you your entire life.""
I stood.
"Who?""
Before he answered, the hospital room door opened.
A nurse walked in.
"Mr. Bennett?""
My father looked confused.
"Yes?""
She held out an envelope.
"This was left for you.""
My father looked at it.
Then his face changed.
Because he recognized the handwriting.
I saw it too.
The same handwriting from the letters.
Richard Whitmore.
My father opened it.
Inside was one sentence.
Arthur,
You failed to protect him.
Now I will finish what I started.
My blood ran cold.
Because beneath the message was one final line.
The wedding was never an accident.
It was a warning.
And then I realized something.
The attack at the wedding.
The humiliation.
The secrets.
The broken engagement.
None of it happened by chance.
Someone had planned everything.
Someone wanted me to discover the truth.
Someone wanted me searching.
May you like
And whoever that person was...
They had been waiting for me to find them.
