Chapter 8 - THE ENEMY WE NEVER SAW
The next morning, Adrian made a decision.
“We’re leaving.”
I looked at him.
“What?”
“This house isn’t safe.”
For once, I didn’t argue.
Because I knew he was right.
The Vale estate was beautiful.
But beauty could hide darkness.
We packed only what we needed.
Before we could leave, security stopped us.
“There’s someone at the gate.”
Adrian frowned.
“Who?”
The guard looked nervous.
“He says he’s family.”
Nobody moved.
Then the gates opened.
A black car slowly entered the property.
An older man stepped out.
Gray hair.
Expensive suit.
A calm smile.
But the moment Adrian saw him…
He froze.
“Uncle Victor.”
My stomach tightened.
Another secret.
Another Vale.
Victor Vale walked toward us like he owned the place.
Because maybe he did.
“Adrian.”
His smile was warm.
But his eyes were cold.
“I heard there was trouble.”
Adrian stepped in front of me.
“What are you doing here?”
Victor looked around.
“The family is falling apart.”
He sighed.
“I thought I should help.”
“No.”
Adrian’s answer was immediate.
“We don’t need your help.”
Victor smiled.
“That’s exactly what your father used to say.”
The mention of Richard changed the atmosphere.
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“You knew about my father.”
Victor laughed softly.
“Everyone knew things about Richard.”
I stepped forward.
“What about my mother?”
Victor looked at me.
And his smile disappeared.
For one second.
Only one.
But I saw it.
Recognition.
“You’re Sarah’s daughter.”
My blood ran cold.
“You knew her?”
Victor looked away.
“I knew everyone who worked for Richard.”
“That’s not an answer.”
Adrian looked at him.
“Tell us the truth.”
Victor sighed.
“Your mother was brilliant.”
My eyes filled.
“She was also dangerous.”
I felt anger rise.
“She was a good person.”
Victor looked at me.
“That’s why she was dangerous.”
Nobody spoke.
Because his words revealed something.
My mother had discovered something.
Something powerful people wanted hidden.
Victor reached into his jacket.
He pulled out a small envelope.
“This belonged to Sarah.”
I stared.
“Why do you have it?”
He handed it to me.
“Because she asked me to keep it safe.”
Adrian immediately grabbed the envelope.
“You knew all this time?”
Victor looked at him.
“I knew enough.”
The anger in Adrian’s face was terrifying.
“You let her daughter live her entire life without answers?”
Victor didn’t react.
“Because answers can get people killed.”
That sentence made the room silent.
I opened the envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
Another photo of my mother.
But this time she wasn’t alone.
She was standing beside a baby.
A baby wrapped in a white blanket.
On the back of the photo was one sentence.
My hands started shaking.
Because I recognized the handwriting.
My mother’s.
“The child is alive.”
Adrian looked at me.
“Emma…”
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A man’s voice spoke.
“You should have listened to your mother.”
I froze.
“Who are you?”
A pause.
Then:
“The person who made sure she disappeared.”
My blood went cold.
The call ended.
And seconds later…
A message appeared.
A photo.
A photo of Adrian leaving the estate.
Taken that morning.
May you like
Someone was following us.
Still.
