Chapter 1: The Voice From The Past
The phone crackled in Amelia’s shaking hands.
For a moment, all she could hear was the roar of the fire consuming the house around her.
Then her father’s voice came through the speaker.
“Amelia… if you’re listening to this, you are in danger.”
Her heart stopped.
Her father had been dead for three years.
But somehow, he had left her a message.
“First, you need to understand something. The fire tonight was never an accident.”
Amelia covered her mouth, trying not to cough.
The smoke burned her eyes, but she forced herself to listen.
“Margaret is not the woman she pretends to be. She came into our family with a plan. She wanted everything I built… and she was willing to destroy anyone who stood in her way.”
A loud crash came from outside the bedroom.
Someone was trying to make sure she didn’t survive.
Amelia looked toward the door.
The flames were spreading faster.
Her father’s voice continued.
“I discovered the truth before I died. Margaret changed documents, moved money, and tried to make it look like I was losing my mind.”
Amelia’s hands trembled.
Her father had been called unstable during his final months.
Everyone told her he was sick.
Everyone told her Margaret was taking care of him.
But now she knew.
They had lied.
“There is one person who can help you,” her father whispered.
“Find Daniel Hayes. He has the original evidence.”
Amelia froze.
Daniel Hayes.
Her father’s old lawyer.
The man Margaret claimed disappeared after stealing from the family.
Then came the final words.
“Amelia… trust no one in that house.”
The voicemail ended.
Suddenly, the bedroom door shook.
Jessica’s voice came from outside.
“Still alive?”
Amelia slowly stood up.
The fear in her eyes was replaced by something stronger.
Determination.
They wanted her gone.
May you like
But they had made one mistake.
They left her with the truth.
