**Chapter 5 — A Hidden Phone Changes Everything**
The Birthday Surprise
Chapter 5 — The Call That Changed Everything
Emily stared at the glowing screen.
Lucas's name remained there.
Ringing.
Over and over again.
She didn't move.
Ethan quietly nodded toward the phone.
"Answer it."
Emily looked terrified.
"I can't."
"Why?"
"Because..."
She swallowed hard.
"I don't know what he'll say."
Ethan picked up the phone and handed it to her.
"Neither do I."
"Let's find out."
With trembling fingers, Emily answered.
"Hello..."
Lucas's voice sounded anxious.
"Emily, don't say anything."
She frowned.
"What happened?"
"I just realized something."
His breathing was uneven.
"I left my second phone inside your car."
Emily's face instantly turned white.
Ethan noticed the change immediately.
"What second phone?" she whispered.
Lucas continued quickly.
"The black one."
"It has everything."
"My messages."
"Our conversations."
"The photos."
Emily felt her knees weaken.
"You told me you deleted everything."
"I thought I did."
"But that phone..."
"I forgot it was under the passenger seat."
The call suddenly disconnected.
Emily slowly lowered the phone.
Neither she nor Ethan spoke for several long seconds.
Finally, Ethan asked,
"What's on that phone?"
Emily looked at him.
Fear filled her eyes.
"It isn't just proof of the affair."
Ethan's expression hardened.
"What else is there?"
Emily opened her mouth.
But before she could answer...
The headlights of a black SUV swept across the mansion windows.
Someone had just pulled into the driveway.
Neither Ethan nor Emily was expecting visitors.
A loud knock echoed through the front door.
Three slow knocks.
Then a man's voice called from outside.
"Mr. Harrison?"
"My name is David Mercer."
"I'm with the FBI."
"We need to speak with you about Lucas Miller."
