Chapter 7 - THE TRUTH INSIDE THE COMPANY
The first thing I did when I returned to Hayes Technologies was walk through the front doors.
Not as a ghost.
Not as a victim.
As the owner.
People stopped moving.
Phones lowered.
Conversations disappeared.
Everyone stared.
My assistant, Lisa, dropped the files in her hands.
"Amelia?"
I nodded.
Her eyes filled with tears.
"Oh my God."
She ran toward me.
"You are alive."
I hugged her.
For the first time in days, I allowed myself to cry.
Because Lisa was not part of Richard's world.
She was part of mine.
---
Within hours, the entire company knew.
The woman everyone thought was dead had returned.
But Evelyn warned me.
"Be careful."
"Why?"
"Because Richard will know soon."
I looked outside my office window.
"He already knows."
She frowned.
"What?"
I pointed toward the street.
A black SUV was parked outside.
Someone was watching.
---
Richard arrived two hours later.
He did not run.
He did not scream.
He simply walked into my office.
Like he belonged there.
Like he had not thrown me out of a helicopter.
Like he was still my husband.
"Amelia."
His voice cracked.
"You are alive."
I stared at him.
"Surprised?"
He stepped closer.
"I thought you were dead."
I almost laughed.
"You wanted me to be."
His face changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't lie to me."
Silence.
Then he whispered:
"You don't understand what happened."
I looked at him.
"Then explain."
For the first time, Richard looked afraid.
Not guilty.
Afraid.
Because he realized something.
The woman he tried to destroy was standing in front of him.
---
"I made mistakes."
Richard sat across from me.
"Mistakes?"
"I was under pressure."
"Pressure doesn't make people push pregnant women out of helicopters."
His face tightened.
"Someone else was involved."
I froze.
"What?"
Richard looked toward the door.
"I wasn't supposed to be the one blamed."
The room became silent.
"What are you talking about?"
He leaned forward.
"Amelia, you think this was about your money."
I said nothing.
"It wasn't."
"Then what was it about?"
Richard looked at me.
And for the first time…
He looked genuinely terrified.
"Your father."
---
I stood up.
"My father died five years ago."
"I know."
"Then explain."
Richard looked down.
"Your father left behind something."
"What?"
"I don't know everything."
I laughed.
"You expect me to believe that?"
"No."
He looked at me.
"Because I wouldn't believe me either."
---
Before I could ask more, my phone rang.
It was Daniel.
I answered.
His voice was urgent.
"Amelia, leave the building."
My heart tightened.
"Why?"
"Now."
"What happened?"
A pause.
Then:
"Someone just accessed your private company files."
"Who?"
Daniel lowered his voice.
"The same person who tried to erase your identity."
I looked at Richard.
Then back at the phone.
"Who?"
Daniel answered:
"Mark Sullivan."
---
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CHAPTER 7 END
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