Chapter 5 - THE MAN WHO STOLE SIXTEEN YEARS
Grace found the first clue in an archived storage unit.
A box of correspondence from Daniel's original office.
Most of it was ordinary.
Invoices.
Contracts.
Business cards.
But beneath a stack of old financial statements lay a sealed envelope.
Addressed to Daniel.
In Emily's handwriting.
It had never been opened.
Daniel stared at it.
His hands trembled.
He broke the seal.
Inside was a letter dated sixteen years earlier.
Daniel,
I don't understand why you said those things to me.
I don't understand why you won't answer my calls.
But I need you to know something important.
I'm pregnant.
Daniel stopped reading.
His vision blurred.
He forced himself to continue.
I don't know what happens next.
I only know I wanted to tell you in person.
Please call me.
Emily.
He lowered the letter.
Grace stood beside him.
Neither spoke.
Then Daniel noticed a handwritten note on the back of the envelope.
Hold for Richard.
His stomach tightened.
Richard.
His uncle.
The man who had told him Emily was gone.
The man who had insisted Daniel needed to forget her.
Daniel closed his eyes.
May you like
Then whispered:
“What did you do?”
