Chapter 3: The Woman Who Came Back From The Dead
I drove through the storm without remembering the journey.
Rain slammed against the windshield.
My mind replayed every moment.
Sarah’s funeral.
The hospital fire.
The empty coffin.
The years I spent believing I had lost everything.
All lies.
When I arrived at the abandoned farmhouse outside the city, the front door was already open.
I reached inside my coat for the emergency weapon I carried.
Not because I expected danger.
Because after everything I had learned, I expected anything.
“Sarah?””
No answer.
I stepped inside.
The house smelled like dust and old wood.
Then I heard footsteps.
Slow.
Weak.
Familiar.
A woman appeared at the end of the hallway.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
She looked older.
Tired.
But she was still Sarah.
My Sarah.
Her hand covered her mouth.
“Ethan.””
I wanted to run to her.
I wanted to scream.
I wanted to ask why she abandoned me.
Instead, I whispered:
“You’re alive.””
Tears filled her eyes.
“I tried to come back.””
“Seven years ago?””
She nodded.
“Then why didn’t you?””
Her face collapsed.
“Because Nora threatened Lily.””
My anger returned instantly.
“What did she do?””
Sarah looked away.
“She told me if I went to you, Lily would disappear.””
My fists clenched.
“Where was Lily?””
“With Nora.””
The room spun.
“She had my daughter?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Sarah took a shaky breath.
“Because Nora wanted your company.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
“She knew Daniel was planning to take control of Blackwood Industries. She knew you trusted family. She knew if you lost everything, you would break.””
I felt sick.
“My brother was involved?””
Sarah nodded.
“Daniel and Nora planned everything.””
A noise came from upstairs.
We both froze.
Sarah’s face changed.
Fear.
Real fear.
“He found me.””
“Who?””
Before she could answer, the lights went out.
The farmhouse fell into darkness.
Then a man’s voice came from the staircase.
“You always were terrible at hiding, Sarah.””
My blood turned cold.
I knew that voice.
Daniel.
My own brother stepped into the moonlight.
He looked exactly the same as he did seven years ago.
Except now I saw the truth behind his smile.
“You should have stayed dead,” Daniel said.
I stepped in front of Sarah.
“You tried to kill my daughter.””
Daniel smiled.
“No.””
He tilted his head.
“That was Nora’s mistake.””
The words stopped me.
“What?””
Daniel walked closer.
“The poison was never meant for you.””
My heart pounded.
“Then who was it meant for?””
Daniel looked past me.
Toward the doorway.
Toward the person who had followed me.
A small voice whispered from behind.
“Daddy…”
I turned.
Lily stood there.
And beside her…
Was Nora.
Free.
Smiling.
May you like
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Now,” he said quietly, “we can finally finish what we started.””
