Chapter 15 - Sophia’s Choice
Michael drove back toward the city while Thomas contacted hospital security.
Christopher followed in a second vehicle.
Jonathan disappeared before they reached the highway.
Michael realized it twenty minutes too late.
Thomas cursed.
“He took the second SUV.”
Christopher called.
“Let him go.”
Michael shouted.
“He knows everything.”
Christopher’s voice remained calm.
“No.”
“He knows one version.”
Michael tightened his grip on the wheel.
“What does that mean?”
Christopher answered.
“Jonathan has spent decades serving whoever frightened him most.”
Michael stared at the road.
“You think he works for Marcus?”
“I think Jonathan works for Jonathan.”
Michael’s phone rang.
Mason.
Michael answered instantly.
“Mason?”
His son whispered.
“I’m still hiding.”
“Where is Sophia?”
“With Mom.”
“Can you hear them?”
“Yes.”
Michael’s chest tightened.
“What are they saying?”
Mason lowered his voice.
“Aunt Sophia is crying.”
Michael did not expect that.
“Why?”
“She keeps telling Mom she didn’t know.”
“Didn’t know what?”
Mason listened.
Then whispered.
“That Daniel wanted her dead.”
Michael looked at Thomas.
Sophia might finally understand she had been used.
“Stay hidden.”
“I don’t want Mom alone.”
“Mason.”
“I’m scared.”
Michael’s voice softened.
“I know.”
He swallowed.
“But you already saved your mom once tonight.”
Mason sniffled.
“By showing you the camera?”
“Yes.”
Michael’s eyes burned.
“Now save her again by staying safe.”
Mason remained quiet.
Then he said.
“Okay.”
The call ended.
Inside Emily’s hospital room, Sophia stood at the foot of the bed.
Emily watched her carefully.
Sophia’s makeup was streaked.
“They’re going to kill me.”
Emily did not respond.
Sophia stepped closer.
“Daniel told me the folder proved you stole Dad’s money.”
“Our father.”
Sophia flinched.
Emily continued.
“You know now.”
“I found out three months ago.”
“And decided I deserved to die for it?”
“I didn’t mean to push you that hard.”
Emily stared at her.
Sophia immediately regretted the words.
“That came out wrong.”
“You shoved an eight-month-pregnant woman down a staircase.”
“I know.”
“You watched me fall.”
“I know.”
“You lied to Michael.”
Sophia began crying.
Emily remained cold.
“And then you smiled when he hit me.”
Sophia looked away.
“I hated you.”
“I noticed.”
“I thought Dad loved you.”
Emily’s eyes hardened.
“Our father died believing you could never know the truth because knowing it might put you in danger.”
Sophia laughed bitterly.
“Well, that worked beautifully.”
Emily did not smile.
Sophia approached the bed.
“Daniel told me the red folder contained the original trust paperwork.”
“It contains financial records.”
“I know now.”
“How?”
“Jonathan told me.”
Emily’s expression changed.
“When?”
“Twenty minutes ago.”
Emily stared at her.
Jonathan had disappeared from Blackwood.
Now she knew where he was headed.
“What did Jonathan want?”
Sophia wiped her face.
“He told me where the real inheritance addendum is.”
Emily felt a chill.
“Where?”
Sophia looked toward the door.
“Not with him.”
“Then where?”
“He said Dad hid it somewhere no lawyer could alter it.”
Emily thought of Samuel.
Blackwood.
The clock.
The brass key.
Then she understood.
“The lake house.”
Sophia looked surprised.
Emily continued.
“Our childhood lake house.”
Sophia whispered.
“He said there’s a safe beneath the dock.”
Emily stared at her half sister.
“And what does the addendum say?”
Sophia shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
Emily studied her.
“You’re lying.”
Sophia closed her eyes.
When she opened them, the anger was gone.
“Jonathan said Dad left me something.”
“What?”
Sophia’s voice broke.
“A letter.”
Emily’s expression softened despite herself.
Sophia continued.
“He wrote it before he died.”
For the first time since the staircase, Sophia looked less like an enemy and more like an abandoned daughter.
Then the hospital door opened.
A nurse entered.
Neither woman recognized her.
The nurse smiled.
“Mrs. Carter, time for your medication.”
Emily looked at the syringe in her hand.
Sophia looked at the nurse’s badge.
The photograph did not match the woman’s face.
Sophia moved first.
May you like
She grabbed the medication tray and hurled it across the room.
“RUN.”
