Chapter 8: The Woman Who Disappeared
For five years, I imagined what I would say if I ever saw Sarah again.
I imagined anger.
I imagined questions.
I imagined demanding answers.
But when she walked into that abandoned restaurant, I forgot every word.
Because she looked exactly like someone carrying a lifetime of pain.
Her eyes met mine.
And immediately filled with tears.
"Daniel.""
My name sounded broken in her voice.
I stepped back.
"No.""
She stopped.
I looked at Richard.
Then at Thomas.
Then back at Sarah.
"What is happening?""
Richard smiled.
"Family reunion.""
I hated how calm he was.
"You knew she was alive.""
He shrugged.
"Of course.""
My fists tightened.
"You let me believe she was dead.""
Sarah stepped forward.
"I tried to contact you.""
I looked at her.
"Then why didn't you?""
Her face collapsed.
"Because Richard stopped me.""
Richard laughed.
"She always loved playing the victim.""
Thomas stepped forward.
"Don't listen to him.""
Richard's smile disappeared.
"Still protecting him?""
Thomas stared at him.
"You destroyed all of us.""
Richard looked at me.
"You really believe them?""
He walked around the room slowly.
"Daniel, you always had one weakness.""
I said nothing.
"You wanted to believe people were good.""
He stopped.
"That's why you never saw betrayal coming.""
Sarah looked at me.
"I need to tell you the truth.""
I looked at her.
"Five years ago, when I found out I was pregnant, Richard found out too.""
My eyes narrowed.
"Why would he care?""
"Because of my family.""
She took a breath.
"My father owned a company that Richard wanted.""
I understood.
Power.
Money.
Control.
Richard continued.
"Sarah's family had connections. Your company had influence. Together, you two were unstoppable.""
He smiled.
"So I separated you.""
I looked at him.
"You kidnapped Sarah?""
"No.""
He shook his head.
"I convinced her that you were in danger.""
Sarah closed her eyes.
"He told me you were going to lose everything because of me.""
Her voice trembled.
"He said if I stayed near you, Richard would destroy you.""
I stared at her.
"And you believed him?""
"I was scared.""
The anger inside me fought with the pain.
Because I knew Sarah.
She wasn't weak.
She was protecting someone.
"Lily.""
Sarah started crying.
"I wanted to come back.""
My voice softened.
"Why didn't you?""
Richard answered.
"Because I made sure she couldn't.""
Thomas stepped forward.
"Enough.""
Richard looked at him.
"You should be careful.""
Thomas froze.
Richard smiled.
"Tell him what happened after you found the evidence.""
Thomas looked away.
I noticed.
"What happened?""
Silence.
Then Thomas said:
"I failed.""
I waited.
"I tried to expose Richard.""
His voice became heavy.
"He found out. He arranged the accident.""
My face changed.
"The accident?""
Thomas nodded.
"The one that everyone thought killed me.""
The room went silent.
Richard had erased a person.
Then he tried to erase another.
Then my daughter.
I looked at Richard.
"You did all this for a company.""
He smiled.
"No.""
He walked closer.
"I did this because I deserved it.""
That sentence told me everything.
He didn't want success.
He wanted ownership of everything he thought life denied him.
My phone suddenly vibrated.
Ethan.
I answered.
His voice was urgent.
"Daniel, you need to come back immediately.""
"What happened?""
A pause.
Then:
"The board voted.""
My stomach tightened.
"Voted for what?""
"The removal of the chairman.""
I looked at Richard.
He smiled.
Because he already knew.
"He's taking my company.""
Sarah whispered:
"No.""
Richard stepped toward the door.
"Not your company.""
May you like
He looked back.
"Your legacy.""
