Chapter 7 - GRANDMOTHER'S CONFESSION
My grandmother denied making the call.
But Dad didn't believe her.
Neither did I.
He confronted her that night.
We were in the living room.
Michael stood beside the fireplace.
Maria remained near the doorway.
Grandma sat in her chair.
Dad placed the phone recording on the table.
“That's your voice.”
She stared at it.
“I was afraid.”
“Of what?”
“Of losing you.”
“You've already lost me.”
Her face crumpled.
“I didn't know how to stop it.”
“Stop what?”
“Your uncle.”
Dad stared.
“Robert?”
“He was obsessed with the company.”
Grandma explained that Robert had discovered the existence of Lily years ago.
He believed Lily could challenge Ethan's inheritance.
So he began searching for her.
My mother tried to protect Lily.
She created the trust.
She hid Lily's identity.
Then she died.
After that, Robert continued.
Grandma admitted she had helped him.
Not because she wanted Ethan hurt.
Because she believed Robert could destroy the family if she refused.
Dad was furious.
“You let him manipulate you.”
“Yes.”
“You watched my son kneel to a woman who was stealing from him.”
Grandma began crying.
“I didn't know about Vanessa.”
“You knew enough.”
“I was afraid.”
Dad shook his head.
“Everyone in this family was afraid.”
He looked at me.
“Except Ethan.”
I didn't feel brave.
I felt tired.
Then Maria entered.
“Mr. Bennett.”
“What?”
“There is someone at the gate.”
Dad immediately looked at the monitor.
A young woman stood outside.
She was maybe eighteen.
Dark hair.
Green eyes.
A small scar near her eyebrow.
My father stared.
“Lily.”
The girl looked directly into the camera.
Then she held up a piece of paper.
It said:
I KNOW WHO KILLED YOUR WIFE.
Dad opened the gate himself.
Security surrounded her.
She didn't resist.
She looked at me.
“Ethan?”
I nodded.
She smiled sadly.
“I've wanted to meet you for years.”
“Who are you?”
“Lily.”
My sister.
I didn't know what to say.
She walked into the house.
Grandma stood.
The moment she saw Lily, she began crying.
Lily looked at her.
“You knew where I was.”
Grandma nodded.
“You never came.”
“I was afraid.”
Lily shook her head.
“You were always afraid.”
Dad stepped between them.
“Lily, tell me what you know.”
She looked at him.
“Your wife didn't die in an accident.”
My father froze.
“I know.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You don't.”
She reached into her bag.
She pulled out an old phone.
“This belonged to your wife.”
Dad took it.
“It still works.”
“How?”
“I found it in the house where I grew up.”
She pressed play.
My mother's voice filled the room.
“Daniel, if you're hearing this, then I'm gone.”
My father stopped breathing.
My mother continued.
“Do not trust Robert.”
Dad closed his eyes.
“Do not trust the woman who calls herself Vanessa.”
He looked at me.
“Most importantly, do not trust the person who tells you Ethan is in danger.”
The recording stopped.
Dad stared at Lily.
“Who killed her?”
Lily answered:
“Robert.”
Grandma screamed.
“No!”
Lily looked at her.
“You knew.”
“I didn't.”
“You did.”
Grandma shook her head.
“I thought he was only stealing money.”
Lily's voice trembled.
“He killed her.”
Dad looked at Lily.
“Where is the evidence?”
She handed him a memory card.
“Your mother recorded everything.”
Michael took it.
They transferred the files to the computer.
There were bank records.
Photographs.
Emails.
Audio recordings.
And finally, a video.
My mother sat in front of the camera.
She looked tired.
Afraid.
But determined.
“If anything happens to me, Robert is responsible.”
Dad stared at the screen.
My mother continued.
“He believes Ethan is the only obstacle between him and the company.”
Then she looked directly into the camera.
“But he is wrong.”
She paused.
“Because Lily is still alive.”
My father covered his mouth.
The video continued.
“I created a second protection clause.”
Michael leaned toward the screen.
“What clause?”
My mother's voice answered:
“If either child is threatened, control of the entire company transfers to an independent trustee.”
Michael froze.
“That means—”
Dad finished the sentence.
“They lose everything.”
But then the video changed.
A second person appeared behind my mother.
Robert.
He walked into the room.
My mother turned.
The video ended.
My father stared at the screen.
Lily whispered:
“He found her.”
Then the lights went out.
Again.
A gunshot sounded outside.
Everyone screamed.
Security rushed toward the windows.
Dad grabbed me.
“Down!”
Another shot hit the glass.
It shattered.
Lily pulled me behind the sofa.
Michael yelled:
“Call the police!”
Then a message appeared on the computer screen.
YOU FOUND LILY.
May you like
A second line appeared.
NOW YOU WILL LOSE ETHAN.
