Chapter 10 - THE DEAD MAN
Ruth couldn’t move.
Daniel looked twenty years older than he should have.
A scar crossed the left side of his face.
His hands trembled.
But it was him.
Her brother.
Emma’s father.
Alive.
Ruth crossed the distance and hit him.
Daniel accepted it.
Then she hugged him.
Hard.
She sobbed into his chest.
“You were alive.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Seven years.”
“I know.”
“Emma thinks you’re dead.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“I know.”
Ruth pushed him away.
“You knew?”
“I watched from a distance.”
“You watched your daughter grow up without you?”
“I was trying to keep her alive.”
Marcus approached.
“Start explaining.”
Daniel looked toward the burning house.
“Charles tried to kill me.”
The car accident had been staged.
Daniel survived.
Another man died.
Charles bribed Eleanor to switch dental records.
Daniel knew that if Charles discovered he had survived, Emma would become the next target.
So Daniel disappeared.
Thomas was the only person who knew.
Ruth stared.
“Dad knew?”
“Yes.”
“And he let me believe you were dead?”
“He hated it.”
“You both lied to me.”
“To protect you.”
“Stop saying that!”
Daniel went silent.
Ruth’s anger shook through her.
“You don’t protect people by destroying their lives.”
Daniel looked down.
“You’re right.”
Marcus asked the question that mattered.
“Where is Lucy?”
May you like
Daniel looked toward him.
“I know where Charles is taking her.”
