Chapter 7 — The Lawyer Who Returned After Eight Years
# The Stepmother's Lie
## Chapter 7 — The Lawyer Who Returned After Eight Years
Daniel couldn't stop thinking about the hidden fear in Lily's eyes.
Instead of driving to the office the next morning, he visited someone he hadn't spoken to in nearly eight years.
Benjamin Lawson.
The attorney who had handled Sarah Carter's estate.
Benjamin looked surprised when Daniel entered his office.
"It's been a long time."
Daniel nodded.
"Too long."
Benjamin poured two cups of coffee.
"What brings you here?"
Daniel hesitated.
Then quietly asked,
"Before Sarah died..."
"Did she leave anything behind that I don't know about?"
Benjamin looked at him for a long moment.
Finally...
He stood and unlocked an old filing cabinet.
Inside rested a thick envelope sealed with Sarah's signature.
"I hoped I'd never have to open this."
Daniel frowned.
"What is it?"
Benjamin handed him the envelope.
"Your wife instructed me to keep this unless Lily was ever prevented from entering her own mother's room."
Daniel's heart nearly stopped.
"She... predicted this?"
Benjamin nodded slowly.
"Sarah knew someone might eventually try to replace her."
Daniel carefully broke the seal.
Inside were handwritten letters.
Legal documents.
Property records.
And another sealed envelope labeled:
**Open only if Lily is ever harmed inside this house.**
Daniel's hands began to shake.
How much had Sarah known?
