Chapter 4 - The Secret My Grandfather BuriedThe video continued.
My grandfather looked serious.
“Richard Hayes was never a friend.”
I watched silently.
“He entered this family because he wanted access.”
Thomas stood beside me.
His face was pale.
“He knew.”
I looked at him.
“You knew about Richard?”
Thomas nodded slowly.
“Your grandfather warned us.”
The video continued.
“He will try to control the hotel.”
“He will try to use my family.”
“But Mia…”
My grandfather smiled.
“Never let him convince you that kindness is weakness.”
The recording ended.
I sat there.
Feeling everything at once.
Anger.
Pain.
Determination.
Then Thomas revealed another secret.
“Your mother knew.”
I looked at him.
“She knew about Richard?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t she tell me?”
Thomas looked away.
“Because she wanted you to have a normal life.”
I laughed sadly.
“Normal?”
I looked around the office.
“At this point, I don’t think I even know what normal is.”
That afternoon, Richard called.
He sounded confident.
“Miss Carter.”
I hated how calmly he said my name.
“You have caused unnecessary problems.”
I answered:
“You stole from my family.”
He laughed.
“Your family?”
A pause.
“You don’t even know who your family is.”
My heart tightened.
“What does that mean?”
He replied:
“Ask Thomas about your grandfather’s final years.”
The call ended.
I turned toward Thomas.
“What did he mean?”
Thomas became silent.
Then finally said:
“Your grandfather had one more child.”
I froze.
“What?”
Thomas nodded.
“Another heir.”
The room became cold.
“Who?”
Thomas looked at me.
“That is the person Richard is afraid of.”
That night, another person arrived.
A woman.
She stood outside the hotel entrance.
Holding an old envelope.
She looked at me.
And whispered:
“Mia Carter?”
“Yes.”
She handed me the envelope.
“This belonged to your mother.”
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
My mother.
A baby.
And another woman.
May you like
On the back were four words.
“Your sister is alive.”
