Chapter 8: The Sister Who Knew Too Much
Gabriel drove to Lily Morgan’s house before sunrise.
He didn’t tell anyone.
Not Marlene.
Not Everett.
Not even Amelia.
Because he needed one conversation where nobody could prepare a story.
Lily opened the door wearing a gray sweater and a tired expression.
The moment she saw Gabriel, her face changed.
“Gabriel.””
He stared.
“You knew.””
Her hand tightened around the door.
“Knew what?””
“Don’t do that.””
Silence.
“You knew what happened to Nora.””
Lily looked away.
“I knew something was wrong.””
“Something?””
Gabriel’s voice sharpened.
“My wife died.””
Lily flinched.
“I know.””
“No. You don’t.””
He stepped closer.
“You got to mourn her. You got to be angry. You got to know the truth.””
His voice broke.
“I had to raise our daughter while everyone lied to me.””
Lily looked like she wanted to cry.
“I was trying to protect Amelia.””
“Everyone says that.””
Gabriel laughed.
“Everyone who hurt her.””
Lily closed her eyes.
“Come inside.””
He followed.
The house smelled like old books and coffee.
Nora’s favorite things.
That made it worse.
Lily sat down.
“I didn’t know Marlene would go that far.””
“But you helped her.””
“Yes.””
The answer came immediately.
Gabriel stared.
“Why?””
“Because Nora asked me to.””
He froze.
“What?””
Lily reached into a drawer.
She pulled out a letter.
“Nora sent this to me before she died.””
Gabriel took it.
The handwriting was familiar.
Lily,
If things get worse, I need you to make sure Amelia is protected.
But do not go after Marlene.
Not yet.
She is not the only person involved.
Gabriel looked up.
“Who else?””
Lily shook her head.
“I never found out.””
“Then why did you help Marlene?””
“Because Nora wanted me close.””
“What?””
Lily’s eyes filled.
“She knew someone was watching her.””
Gabriel stared.
“She asked me to pretend I believed Marlene.””
“Why?””
“To find out who was really behind it.””
The room went quiet.
“So you weren’t helping her.””
“No.””
Lily looked down.
“I was spying on her.””
Gabriel sat back.
Everything was changing again.
“Nora knew?””
“Yes.””
“About the custody papers?””
“Yes.””
“About the money?””
“Yes.””
“About my parents?””
Lily nodded.
“She knew.””
Gabriel felt exhausted.
“Then why didn’t anyone tell me?””
Lily’s voice softened.
“Because Nora believed telling you would make you react.””
“React?””
“She was afraid you would confront them.””
Gabriel looked at her.
“And?””
“And whoever was behind it would disappear.””
That sentence stayed with him.
Whoever.
Not Marlene.
Not Everett.
Someone else.
“Lily.””
“Yes?””
“What happened the night Nora died?””
Lily looked away.
“I don’t know.””
“You were her sister.””
“I know.””
“Then tell me something.””
She hesitated.
“I got a call from Nora that night.””
Gabriel’s heart stopped.
“What did she say?””
“She said she had proof.””
“What proof?””
“She didn’t say.””
“Who was with her?””
Lily swallowed.
“She said someone she trusted was helping the person who wanted Amelia.””
Gabriel felt cold.
“Who?””
Lily looked at him.
“She never said.””
A silence followed.
Then Lily whispered:
“But she did say one name.””
Gabriel leaned forward.
“What name?””
Lily’s eyes filled with tears.
“She said, ‘I can’t believe Daniel did this.’”
Gabriel frowned.
“Daniel?””
Lily nodded.
“Nora’s attorney.””
The name meant nothing.
Then he remembered.
The lawyer.
The paperwork.
The custody documents.
The forged signature.
His blood went cold.
That afternoon, Gabriel met Claire Morgan.
She was already waiting when he arrived.
“You found out.””
Gabriel sat down.
“Daniel.””
Claire’s expression changed.
“You know?””
“You knew too.””
Claire was silent.
“That’s why you waited.””
“I needed proof.””
“Who is Daniel?””
Claire looked at the folder in front of her.
“Daniel Price was Nora’s legal advisor.””
“And?””
“And he handled the estate documents.””
Gabriel felt sick.
“Meaning?””
“Meaning he had access to everything.””
“The custody papers.””
“Yes.””
“The signatures.””
“Yes.””
“My wife trusted him.””
Claire nodded.
“She did.””
“Why?””
“Because Daniel had helped her for years.””
Gabriel looked away.
Another betrayal.
Another person who used trust as a weapon.
“Where is he now?””
Claire hesitated.
“Gone.””
“When?””
“The day after Nora died.””
Gabriel stood.
“Find him.””
Claire looked up.
“Gabriel—”
“No.””
His voice was firm.
“I spent three years believing I failed my wife.””
He picked up the folder.
“I’m done letting other people decide what happened.””
That night, Gabriel returned home.
Amelia was asleep.
Biscuit lay beside her bed.
Protecting her.
Like he always had.
Gabriel smiled sadly.
Then he noticed something.
A small envelope on Amelia’s desk.
His name was written on it.
Not by Nora.
Not by Lily.
By Amelia.
Inside was a drawing.
A house.
A family.
And underneath:
*Daddy, I remember the man who came after Mommy left.*
Gabriel stared.
May you like
Then he saw the next sentence.
*He told Grandma she needed to make sure I forgot.*
