Chapter 8 - THE FAMILY MEETING
The family gathered at the estate the next morning.
My grandmother sat at the head of the table.
She looked older than I remembered.
But her voice remained strong.
“You've made a terrible mistake coming here.”
I placed the death certificate on the table.
“No.”
I placed the hospital records beside it.
“You made the mistake.”
Her expression changed.
Caleb stood behind me.
My mother sat beside Emily.
The room fell silent.
Grandmother looked at Emily.
For the first time, fear crossed her face.
“You found her.”
“Yes.”
“She was never supposed to return.”
I felt rage rise inside me.
“She is my sister.”
“She is a liability.”
“No.”
I leaned forward.
“She is family.”
Grandmother laughed bitterly.
“You still don't understand.”
“I understand perfectly.”
“You think love protects people?”
“No.”
I looked at Caleb.
“Truth does.”
I placed the recorder on the table.
Nathan's confession played.
Then Serena's testimony.
Then Dr. Porter's statement.
Finally, my mother's recording.
Grandmother listened without moving.
When the final recording ended, she whispered:
“I did what I had to do.”
“You murdered our family.”
“I protected the inheritance.”
“You destroyed lives.”
“I protected you.”
I shook my head.
“You protected yourself.”
The door opened.
Federal investigators entered.
Grandmother looked at them.
Then at me.
“You planned this.”
“Yes.”
Her face hardened.
“You were always your mother's daughter.”
I stood.
“No.”
I looked toward Emily.
“I'm becoming something better.”
Grandmother was taken away.
But before she left, she turned toward me.
“You think this ends here?”
I paused.
“What do you mean?”
She smiled.
“Nathan didn't start this.”
My blood ran cold.
“Who did?”
She said nothing.
The door closed behind her.
That night, I thought the nightmare was finally over.
Then an envelope appeared beneath my hotel door.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph.
It showed Nathan's father.
Alive.
Standing beside a man I had never seen before.
May you like
On the back were four words.
YOU HAVE NOT FOUND HIM.
