Chapter 16 — The Daughter Comes Begging
"Don't move."
Rachel's voice was calm.
Linda stopped.
Emily stepped in front of her father.
Rachel smiled.
"Still protecting everyone, Linda."
Linda stared at her.
"You destroyed our family."
Rachel shook her head.
"You destroyed it when you refused to share."
"Share?"
"You built an empire and kept me outside."
"You stole from me."
"I took what I deserved."
Emily looked between them.
"Enough."
Rachel turned toward her.
"You don't understand."
"I understand enough."
Rachel laughed.
"You think your mother is innocent?"
Emily hesitated.
Rachel continued.
"Ask her about the money."
Emily looked at Linda.
"What money?"
Linda remained silent.
Rachel smiled.
"Of course she didn't tell you."
Emily's voice became desperate.
"Mom?"
Linda finally spoke.
"Rachel is right about one thing."
Emily froze.
"There is money."
"How much?"
Linda looked at her.
"The money your father disappeared with."
Emily stared.
"You had it?"
"No."
"Then who did?"
Linda pointed toward Rachel.
"She did."
Rachel's expression changed.
Linda continued.
"Rachel didn't steal company money."
"She stole something else."
Rachel stepped backward.
Emily looked confused.
"What?"
Linda said:
"Evidence."
Rachel's face hardened.
"For twenty-three years, she has been hiding the evidence that would expose everyone involved."
Emily looked at her aunt.
"Why?"
Rachel raised the gun.
"Because the truth would destroy your father."
Emily turned toward him.
Her father looked down.
That was when Emily realized something.
Everyone had been lying.
Her entire childhood had been built around a secret.
And the person who knew the most...
was her father.
Rachel suddenly lowered the gun.
Then smiled.
"Ask him what he did twenty-three years ago."
Emily turned.
May you like
Her father looked at her.
And whispered:
