I stood frozen, gripping the crumpled estate sale paper, my breath shallow. The inked name Daniel Holloway burned into my mind, each letter a cruel taunt.
"That can't be right," I murmured.
Julian was silent beside me, his presence a quiet storm.
"You sure this is the name of the estate?" I turned to the vendor, my voice unsteady.
He frowned. "Lady, I don't make mistakes about sales. This came from an estate clean-out - family either passed away or moved on, and everything got auctioned off. That's how these things go."
But my husband hadn't passed away.
Had he?
The thought clawed at my throat. Five years of believing he had disappeared, five years of grieving and trying to move on - only to find his belongings sold like he was just a forgotten memory?
I swallowed, my hands shaking as I turned to Julian. His expression was unreadable, but his jaw was tight, his fists clenched.
"I need to know where this sale happened," I said, my voice steadier now.
The vendor sighed. "Look, I don't have all the details - just got the stuff through a third party. But I remember something about an old house on the outskirts of town. An address, maybe…"
"Can you find it?"
He rubbed his chin. "Might take some time."
I exhaled sharply. Time wasn't something I wanted to waste.
Julian suddenly reached into his wallet and pulled out a crisp bill, placing it on the vendor's table. "For the trouble."
The old man raised an eyebrow but took the money, stuffing it into his pocket. "Alright. Give me a day or two."
I turned to Julian as we walked away. "Why did you do that?"
He shrugged, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets. "Because waiting wasn't an option. And because I want answers too."
I eyed him warily. "And why do you care so much?"
He stopped walking, turning to face me fully. His dark eyes locked onto mine.
"Because, Lana, I don't believe in coincidences. And the moment I put that ring on my finger, my life hasn't been the same."
A chill ran through me.
There was something he wasn't saying.
Before I could press him, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out, my stomach twisting when I saw the name on the screen.
Danielle Holloway.
My sister-in-law.
Julian must have seen my face pale. "Who is it?"
I hesitated. "Daniel's sister."
His brows furrowed. "And she's calling you after five years?"
I swallowed hard. "She never calls."
The phone buzzed again, insistent.
I took a deep breath and answered. "Danielle?"
There was silence on the other end for a moment, then a shaky inhale.
"Lana." Her voice was strained, almost… afraid. "I need to see you."
I stiffened. "What? Why?"
"It's about Daniel."
My pulse slammed into my ribs.
Julian leaned in slightly, his expression alert.
I tightened my grip on the phone. "What about him?"
Danielle hesitated. Then, in a whisper:
"I think he's alive."
The world blurred.
I felt Julian steady me as I swayed on my feet, but I barely registered it.
"Lana?" Danielle's voice wavered. "Are you still there?"
I forced my lips to move. "Where are you?"
"My apartment. Can you come?"
"Yeah," I breathed. "I'll be there soon."
I ended the call, my hands clammy, my head spinning.
Julian's voice was gentle but firm. "What did she say?"
I met his eyes, my throat tight.
"She thinks Daniel is alive."
For a long moment, Julian said nothing.
Then, quietly, "Let's go find out if she's right."