Chapter 8: The Enemy in the Room
Emergency lights flickered on.
The mansion was no longer beautiful.
The golden walls.
The expensive furniture.
The ocean view.
Everything looked different.
Like a stage after the actors removed their masks.
Richard Vale stood in the doorway.
Older than I remembered.
But still carrying the same confidence.
The same smile.
The same eyes.
The eyes of someone who believed he could control everyone.
“Richard,” Alexander said.
The man smiled.
“Alexander Hayes.””
He looked around.
“Quite a dramatic reunion.””
My mother stepped back.
“You shouldn’t be here.””
Richard laughed softly.
“You always say that when you’re afraid.””
My stomach turned.
He knew exactly how to speak to her.
Like he owned her.
Alexander moved forward.
“You have ten seconds to explain why you’re here.””
Richard ignored him.
His eyes found me.
“Emma.””
Hearing my name from him felt wrong.
“You’ve grown.””
I stared.
“You’re the reason my father disappeared.””
Richard sighed.
“Your father was a stubborn man.””
“That’s not an answer.””
“No.””
He smiled.
“It’s history.””
Alexander’s expression hardened.
“You manipulated a family. Stole from a company. Faked a death.””
Richard looked amused.
“Careful with accusations.””
“Careful with lies.””
For the first time, Richard’s smile disappeared.
“You sound like your father.””
The sentence hit me.
Because it was meant to hurt.
“You knew him.””
Richard looked at me.
“Yes.””
“Then tell me why.””
A strange expression crossed his face.
Not guilt.
Regret.
Almost.
“Your father was too good for this world.””
I hated that he said it.
Because it sounded almost sincere.
“He trusted everyone.””
Richard walked slowly into the room.
“And that was his weakness.””
My hands shook.
“No.””
Richard looked at me.
“He should have understood that people like me win.””
Alexander stepped forward.
“You’re done.””
Richard smiled.
“Am I?””
He reached into his coat.
Everyone reacted.
Security guards moved.
But he only pulled out a small envelope.
“I brought something.””
He looked at me.
“Something your father wanted you to have.””
I didn’t move.
“Why would I trust you?””
Richard smiled sadly.
“You shouldn’t.””
The honesty surprised me.
“Then why bring it?””
“Because I’m tired.””
Nobody spoke.
Richard looked at the envelope.
“Twenty years of lies become heavy.””
My mother whispered:
“Richard, don’t.””
He turned toward her.
“You had twelve years to tell her.””
Victoria looked away.
And I realized something.
Whatever happened between them…
She was afraid of him.
Richard handed the envelope to Alexander.
“Check it.””
Alexander opened it.
His eyes scanned the page.
Then he froze.
“What is it?”” I asked.
He looked at me.
“It’s a medical record.””
My heart stopped.
“Whose?””
Alexander looked at Richard.
Richard answered.
“Your father’s.””
I felt dizzy.
“Why would I need his medical record?””
Richard didn’t answer immediately.
Then he said:
“Because Daniel Carter didn’t disappear after the accident.””
The room became silent.
“He was taken.””
My blood ran cold.
“Taken by who?””
Richard looked directly at my mother.
Victoria started crying.
“No.””
Richard whispered:
“Ask her.””
I looked at my mother.
“Mom?””
She shook her head.
“I didn’t know.””
Richard laughed bitterly.
“You always say that.””
Alexander grabbed the document.
“What happened after the crash?””
Richard looked at me.
“Your father survived.””
My breathing stopped.
“But someone paid the hospital to change the records.””
“Who?””
Richard’s eyes moved to the papers.
Then back to me.
“Someone who wanted Daniel Carter gone forever.””
A terrible silence followed.
Then Alexander read something from the document.
His face turned pale.
“Emma…”
“What?””
He looked at the final line.
“The person who authorized the change was…”
He stopped.
I felt my heart pounding.
“Who?””
Alexander slowly lifted his eyes.
And the answer destroyed the last piece of my childhood.
“It was signed by someone with your mother’s authorization.””
My mother collapsed into the chair.
“I was forced.””
Richard stepped closer.
“And that’s the part she never told you.””
I stared at Victoria.
The woman who raised me.
The woman who hurt me.
The woman who had hidden everything.
“Mom…”
She looked at me through tears.
“I never wanted this.””
“Then why did you do it?””
Her voice broke.
“Because Richard threatened to take you away.””
The room went silent.
Then Alexander’s phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What?””
A pause.
Then he looked at me.
“Emma…”
“What?””
His voice became quiet.
“They found your father.””
My heart stopped.
“Where?””
Alexander looked toward the open doors.
May you like
And whispered:
“He’s outside.””
