We locked every door in the house.
Daniel finally told us what had happened.
He had discovered the truth about our families six months earlier.
Someone had been secretly transferring money through accounts connected to both families.
Daniel followed the trail.
It led to someone he trusted.
Someone inside his own family.
“My father?” I asked.
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
“Lucas?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
He looked at me.
“Your mother.”
My heart broke.
“No.”
“She knew everything.”
“That isn't possible.”
“She knew her father had been framed.”
“Then why did she stay with mine?”
“To protect you.”
I sat down.
“What?”
“She made a deal.”
“With whom?”
“Your father.”
Daniel explained.
My mother had discovered the truth years ago.
She had threatened to expose him.
Instead, he offered her money and protection for me.
She agreed.
But there was one condition.
I could never know what had happened.
My whole life had been built on a lie.
I looked at Daniel.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I tried.”
“When?”
“The night I died.”
I froze.
“You weren't dead.”
“No.”
“I was told you were.”
Daniel looked at Ethan.
“Because Ethan helped me disappear.”
Ethan nodded.
“I knew someone was planning to kill Daniel.”
“Who?”
Daniel hesitated.
“Your father.”
My blood ran cold.
“My father is dead.”
“Yes.”
“Then who is behind this?”
Daniel looked at the door.
“Someone who wants the inheritance.”
“Whose?”
“Yours.”
I stared at him.
“What inheritance?”
“The company.”
I laughed bitterly.
“I don't own any company.”
“You do.”
Daniel placed a folder in front of me.
“Your father transferred everything into your name before he died.”
I stared at the documents.
Millions.
Property.
Businesses.
Everything.
“And someone wants it.”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
Daniel didn't answer.
Instead, he looked at Lucas.
Lucas lowered his eyes.
I understood.
“No.”
Lucas whispered, “I'm sorry.”
He pulled a gun from his jacket.
Ethan moved instantly.
Lucas fired.
The bullet hit the wall.
Daniel pushed me down.
Ethan tackled Lucas.
The gun skidded across the floor.
I crawled toward Daniel.
He was bleeding.
“Daniel!”
He touched his shoulder.
“I'm fine.”
Lucas struggled beneath Ethan.
“Listen to me!”
Ethan held him down.
“You tried to kill her.”
“I was trying to protect her!”
“By shooting us?”
Lucas looked at me.
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain!”
He stopped fighting.
“The person controlling everything…”
He looked toward Daniel.
“…isn't your father.”
“Who?”
Lucas swallowed.
“Your mother.”