Chapter 4: The Truth Amelia Hid
The words stayed in the room like smoke.
From you.
General Harris stared at Daniel.
“You expect me to believe that?””
Daniel didn’t answer.
Ruby moved closer to Harris.
The general noticed.
She was afraid.
Not of Daniel.
Of the argument.
He lowered his voice.
“Ruby, go wait in the hallway with the officer.””
“But—”
“Please.””
She nodded slowly.
When the door closed, Harris faced Daniel.
“Explain.””
Daniel looked exhausted.
“Amelia didn’t leave because she hated you.””
“Then why?””
“Because she was scared.””
“Of me?””
Daniel nodded.
Harris felt something inside him break.
“I never hurt my daughter.””
“No.””
Daniel’s voice softened.
“But you controlled everything.””
The general said nothing.
“You decided her college. Her career. Her friends. Every choice.””
“That was because I wanted her safe.””
“And Amelia wanted to live.””
Daniel looked toward the hallway.
“She met someone you didn’t approve of.””
Harris’s face changed.
“Who?””
Daniel looked at him.
“You.””
The answer confused him.
“Me?””
“Her boyfriend was a soldier under your command.””
Harris froze.
A memory returned.
A young officer.
A disagreement.
A man who resigned suddenly.
“I…”
“You threatened his career.””
Harris looked away.
“I was protecting her.””
“You were protecting your image.””
The accusation hurt because part of him knew it was true.
Daniel continued.
“Amelia found out she was pregnant.””
Harris stopped breathing.
“She wanted to tell you.””
“But she didn’t.””
“Because she heard you say you would never accept a child born from someone who embarrassed the family.””
The room became silent.
General Harris remembered those words.
A conversation years ago.
A conversation he barely remembered.
But Amelia remembered.
She remembered everything.
A phone rang.
Both men looked down.
It was Ruby’s backpack.
Daniel picked it up.
Inside was a small phone.
A message appeared.
Unknown Number:
I know where you are.
General Harris grabbed it.
Another message arrived.
If you want Amelia alive, come alone.
Daniel’s face turned white.
“He found us.””
“Who?””
May you like
Daniel looked at him.
“The person Amelia was running from.””
