Chapter 9 - THE TRAP INSIDE MY FATHER’S HOUSE

I should have called the police.

I knew that.

Every logical part of my brain told me to stay away.

But this wasn’t just about me anymore.

It was about Juniper.

And every second I waited was another second my daughter was in danger.

I returned to my father’s house.

But I didn’t walk in blindly.

I watched from across the street.

The lights were on.

Two shadows moved behind the curtains.

One was my father.

The other was Tabitha.

I felt my jaw tighten.

“She’s manipulating him.”

Clara stood beside me.

“Maybe.”

“Maybe?”

She looked at me.

“Never underestimate desperate people.”

I waited.

Then I saw Tabitha leave.

She walked quickly toward her car.

I followed.

Not close enough for her to notice.

She drove to a small motel outside town.

I watched her enter room 204.

A few minutes later…

Another person arrived.

A man.

Older.

Expensive suit.

Gray hair.

My heart stopped.

Because I recognized him.

Emily’s father.

The man everyone said was dead.

He entered the room.

I moved closer.

The window was slightly open.

I heard voices.

“You failed.”

That was the man.

Tabitha sounded angry.

“I did what you asked.”

“You let him find the evidence.”

“I didn’t know Clara had it.”

A pause.

Then the man said:

“You should have taken care of the girl when you had the chance.”

My blood froze.

The girl.

Juniper.

My daughter.

I pulled out my phone and started recording.

Tabitha whispered:

“He’s already suspicious.”

“Then make him stop.”

“How?”

The man answered calmly.

“Use the child.”

I stopped recording.

My entire body went cold.

I didn’t think.

I moved.

I kicked open the motel door.

Both of them turned.

Tabitha’s face went white.

“You.”

I looked at the man.

“You threatened my daughter.”

He smiled.

A calm, terrifying smile.

“So you finally found the truth.”

I stepped forward.

“You were supposed to be dead.”

He laughed.

“Dead people are very useful.”

My fists tightened.

“You destroyed my family.”

“No.”

He looked at me.

“Your family destroyed itself.”

Behind me, I heard footsteps.

I turned.

My father was standing there.

And he wasn’t alone.

Police officers surrounded the room.

Because before entering…

I had sent the recording to Detective Harris.

The man’s smile disappeared.

For the first time…

He looked afraid.

But then he said something that made everyone freeze.

“You think this is over?”

He looked directly at me.

“Ask your daughter what she remembers from the night your wife died.”

My heart stopped.

Because Juniper was only a baby.

She couldn’t remember.

Could she?

Then my phone rang.

It was Willa.

Her voice was shaking.

“Come home.”

“Why?”

She whispered:

“Juniper just said something about the night your wife died.”

I felt the blood leave my face.

“What did she say?”

A pause.

Then Willa answered:

“She said…”

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