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Chapter 2: The Man Who Never Left

The police arrived twenty minutes later.

Ryan was taken to the station for questioning.

But Daniel stayed inside his house.

The same house where he had raised his daughter.

The same house where his wife had been hiding a stranger.

He walked through every room differently now.

Every corner felt like a lie.

Every memory felt suspicious.

Claire sat silently on the couch.

“You need to explain.”

Her hands trembled.

“Daniel, it’s not what you think.”

He laughed quietly.

A painful laugh.

“Then tell me what I should think.”

Claire looked toward Emma’s bedroom.

“He saved her.”

Daniel froze.

“What?”

Claire’s eyes filled with tears.

“Three years ago, Emma had a serious accident while you were traveling. She was alone with me. I panicked.”

Daniel stared at her.

“And Ryan?”

Claire lowered her head.

“He helped us.”

“But why was he hiding under my couch?”

She had no answer.

The silence became heavier.

Then Daniel received a phone call.

It was from the police.

“Mr. Carter, we found something strange about Ryan’s identity.”

Daniel tightened his grip on the phone.

“What kind of strange?”

May you like

The officer paused.

“He may not be a stranger.”

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