Chapter 9: The Woman From The Past
I couldn’t speak.
The voice on the phone belonged to a stranger.
But her words felt like they were tearing my life apart.
“Who are you?””
The woman took a shaky breath.
“My name is Emily.””
Ryan looked at me.
His face changed.
He knew that name.
“You know her,” I whispered.
Ryan closed his eyes.
“Yes.””
I stepped away.
“Of course you do.””
“Listen to me.””
“No.””
My voice rose.
“No more secrets.””
The woman on the phone began crying.
“I never wanted this.””
“Wanted what?””
“To lose my son.””
I gripped the phone.
“Ben?””
“Yes.””
My knees nearly gave out.
“No.””
“He was taken from me.””
I looked at Ryan.
Then my father.
Nobody looked surprised.
That hurt the most.
“How?””
Emily explained.
Years ago, she had been young.
Scared.
And connected to Ryan.
When she became pregnant, Daniel found out.
He wanted control.
He wanted money.
He wanted power over everyone.
So Rebecca made a decision.
A terrible one.
She took Ben.
She raised him as her own.
And she built a life around a lie.
“But why me?”” I whispered.
Emily’s voice broke.
“Because Ryan wanted to give him a safe home.””
I laughed.
“A safe home?””
I looked around.
“My son almost died.””
Silence.
Then Emily said:
“Because Daniel found out.””
Everything returned to Daniel.
The threats.
The hotel receipt.
The fake identity.
The bathroom door.
“He wasn’t trying to hurt Ben,” Ryan said.
Everyone looked at him.
Ryan stepped forward.
“He was trying to force Rebecca to confess.””
I stared.
“By putting Ben in danger?””
Ryan nodded.
“Daniel is cruel. He knew fear would make her break.””
I felt sick.
“Then why did Harper say Rebecca did it?””
Ryan looked toward the stairs.
“Because Harper saw something.””
We found Harper at the hospital.
She was sitting beside Ben’s bed.
When she saw me, she ran into my arms.
“Daddy.””
I held her.
“Sweetheart, I need you to tell me the truth.””
She nodded.
“I will.””
“Did Rebecca lock the bathroom door?””
Harper looked down.
“Yes.””
My heart broke.
“Why?””
“She told Ben to stay inside.””
“Why?””
Harper whispered:
“She was scared.””
“Of what?””
Harper looked toward Rebecca, who had just entered the room.
“Because she found out someone was watching us.””
Rebecca started crying.
“I was trying to protect them.””
I turned.
“You keep saying that.””
“I know how it sounds.””
“It sounds like another lie.””
She shook her head.
“I found out Daniel had someone inside the house.””
“Who?””
She looked at me.
“Someone close.””
The room went silent.
“Who?””
Rebecca’s eyes filled with tears.
Then she pointed.
Not at Ryan.
Not at my father.
At the person standing behind me.
The detective.
Detective Collins.
Everyone froze.
May you like
Rebecca whispered:
“He’s the one helping Daniel.””
