Chapter 5 - THE PERSON WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD
Daniel Cross forgot how to breathe.
The photograph shook slightly between his fingers.
For several seconds, the entire world around him disappeared.
The guests.
The pool.
The accusations.
Everything.
Because the person standing beside Amelia Brooks in that picture was someone Daniel knew better than anyone.
Someone he had buried eight years ago.
Someone who was supposed to be gone forever.
“Where did you get this?”
His voice was barely a whisper.
The security guard looked nervous.
“I found it inside the envelope, sir.”
Daniel stared at the photograph again.
There was no mistake.
The young woman standing there was Amelia.
Eight years younger.
Smiling.
Alive.
And standing beside a man Daniel never expected to see again.
His own brother.
Michael Cross.
Daniel’s hands tightened around the picture.
“No…”
Mia watched his face carefully.
She had never seen Daniel look afraid before.
Not when his company was threatened.
Not when he faced lawsuits.
Not even when his son almost drowned.
But now…
He looked terrified.
“Daniel,” Mia said softly.
He looked at her.
“Why is my brother in this picture?”
The question was simple.
But the answer could destroy everything.
Mia swallowed.
“Because Michael was the person who saved my life.”
The patio exploded with whispers.
“His brother?”
“Michael Cross?”
“But he died years ago.”
Daniel ignored everyone.
“You knew my brother?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Before the accident.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
Mia looked down.
Because she knew this moment would come.
Because she knew the truth would hurt.
“Because I didn’t know if I could trust you.”
Those words hit Daniel harder than he expected.
“You worked in my house for three years.”
“Yes.”
“And all that time you knew who I was?”
“Yes.”
“And you said nothing?”
Mia looked at him.
“What would you have done?”
Daniel opened his mouth.
But no answer came.
Because deep down…
he knew.
He would have pushed her away.
He would have demanded answers.
He would have believed the worst before hearing the truth.
Vanessa watched the conversation carefully.
Then she stepped forward.
“Daniel, don’t fall for this.”
Everyone looked at her.
She pointed at the photograph.
“This is exactly what she wanted.”
Mia turned.
“What?”
“She waited until the perfect moment.”
Vanessa smiled.
“She saved your son, gained your sympathy, and now she’s using your dead brother to create a story.”
Daniel looked at Mia.
For a moment, doubt returned.
Mia saw it.
And it hurt.
“You still think I’m lying?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
That silence was enough.
Mia nodded slowly.
“After everything…”
Her voice became quiet.
“You still don’t know me.”
The little boy in Daniel’s arms reached toward Mia.
“Mommy…”
Daniel looked down.
His son was crying.
Not because he was scared.
Because Mia was walking away.
Mia turned around.
“I should leave.”
Daniel immediately reacted.
“Wait.”
She stopped.
But she didn’t turn.
“I’ve spent eight years running from people who wanted me gone.”
Her voice shook.
“I won’t spend another day begging someone to believe me.”
Then she walked toward the gate.
But before she reached it, Daniel spoke.
“Amelia.”
She stopped.
It was the first time he had called her by her real name.
“You said Michael saved you.”
Mia slowly turned around.
“Yes.”
Daniel held up the photograph.
“What happened to him?”
The question changed everything.
Mia’s eyes filled with pain.
Because that was the one part she never wanted to remember.
“He didn’t die in an accident.”
Daniel froze.
Vanessa’s expression changed.
“What did you say?”
Mia looked directly at her.
“Michael was murdered.”
The entire patio went silent.
Daniel’s face went pale.
“My brother died in a car crash.”
“No.”
Mia shook her head.
“That’s what everyone was told.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Who told you this?”
Mia looked at the photograph.
“Michael.”
A cold wind moved through the patio.
Daniel stared at her.
“How?”
“He called me the night before he disappeared.”
Mia’s voice became softer.
“He told me he found something.”
“What?”
“He said someone inside the Cross family was stealing money from the company.”
Daniel looked at Vanessa.
Then away.
Because suddenly, every piece started connecting.
The accident.
The disappearance.
The fake accusations.
The lies.
“Who was he talking about?” Daniel asked.
Mia hesitated.
Daniel noticed.
“Amelia.”
She looked at him.
“Who killed my brother?”
Before she could answer, Vanessa suddenly laughed.
Everyone turned.
It was a strange sound.
Almost relieved.
“You really are unbelievable.”
Mia looked at her.
“What?”
Vanessa smiled.
“You spent eight years blaming everyone else.”
She stepped closer.
“But you forgot one little detail.”
Daniel frowned.
“What detail?”
Vanessa looked directly at Mia.
“The night Michael died…”
She paused.
“He wasn’t alone.”
Mia’s face changed.
Daniel looked confused.
“What are you saying?”
Vanessa pointed at Mia.
“She was there.”
The words hit like an explosion.
Daniel looked at Mia.
“Is that true?”
Mia didn’t answer.
And that silence was worse than any accusation.
Daniel’s eyes narrowed.
“Amelia.”
Her lips trembled.
“I…”
For the first time that night…
Mia looked afraid.
Not of Vanessa.
Not of Daniel.
Of the memory she had spent years trying to forget.
Because Vanessa was right about one thing.
She was there.
On the night Michael Cross died.
And she knew exactly who was responsible.
The only problem was…
telling the truth would reveal why she had disappeared.
And why she had spent three years hiding inside Daniel Cross’s house.
Suddenly, Daniel’s phone rang.
The caller ID appeared.
Unknown number.
He answered.
Nobody spoke for five seconds.
Then a distorted voice came through.
“Daniel Cross.”
Daniel’s face changed.
“Who is this?”
The voice continued.
“Stop asking questions about Michael.”
Daniel gripped the phone.
“Who are you?”
A pause.
Then:
“Ask your maid what she was holding when your brother died.”
The call ended.
Daniel slowly lowered the phone.
Everyone stared at him.
Mia’s face went completely white.
Because she knew exactly what the caller meant.
The one thing she had hidden for eight years.
The one piece of evidence that could prove her innocence…
May you like
or prove she was guilty.
TO BE CONTINUED...
