Chapter 11 - Allison's Secret
Allison dropped the file onto the table.
"I know everything."
Richard stared at her.
Linda stood.
"Allison..."
"Don't."
Allison looked at Hannah.
For the first time in their lives, there was no smugness in her expression.
Only fear.
"You were supposed to be the daughter who disappeared."
Hannah stared at her.
"And you were supposed to be the daughter who stayed."
Allison nodded.
"I didn't know."
"How long have you known?"
"Three days."
Hannah looked at Richard.
"Who told her?"
Richard remained silent.
Allison answered.
"Someone sent me the same photograph."
She pulled out her phone.
"Then they sent me this."
A message appeared.
Ask your father why Hannah was never supposed to become a doctor.
Hannah stared.
"Why would someone send this?"
Allison looked at Richard.
"Because someone wants us fighting."
Richard's expression changed.
Hannah noticed.
"You know who."
He didn't answer.
Allison stepped closer.
"I spent my entire life thinking I was the daughter everyone loved."
Hannah said nothing.
"I thought you were jealous of me."
"I wasn't."
"I know that now."
Allison's voice cracked.
"I was jealous of you."
Hannah looked at her.
"Why?"
"Because Grandma always looked at you differently."
Hannah froze.
"Our grandmother knew?"
"She knew something."
Allison looked down.
"She left something for me."
"What?"
Allison opened the file.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
Hannah read it.
My girls,
If you are reading this, then the truth has finally escaped the people who buried it.
Hannah felt tears rise.
The letter continued.
Neither of you is responsible for what happened.
Do not let them turn you against each other.
There was another line.
The answer is not in the hospital.
It is in the house.
Hannah looked around.
"What house?"
Allison whispered.
"Grandmother's old house."
Richard suddenly moved.
"No."
Both women turned.
Richard's face had gone white.
Allison stepped backward.
"You know what's there."
Richard shook his head.
"You don't understand."
Hannah looked at him.
"Then explain."
He couldn't.
Allison picked up the letter.
"We're going."
Richard stepped forward.
"No."
Hannah's voice became firm.
"You don't get to stop us anymore."
The sisters left together.
For the first time.
They drove to their grandmother's old house.
The place had been empty for years.
Dust covered the furniture.
The windows were dark.
Allison held the letter.
"The house."
Hannah looked around.
"What are we supposed to find?"
Allison pointed toward the fireplace.
"She mentioned a room."
They searched for nearly an hour.
Then Hannah noticed something.
A loose floorboard.
Under it was a key.
A small brass key.
There was no lock in sight.
Allison turned.
"Maybe the basement."
They went downstairs.
At the end of the corridor was an old wooden door.
The key fit.
The door opened.
Inside was a room filled with boxes.
Medical files.
Photographs.
Bank statements.
And a tape recorder.
Hannah picked up the first file.
Her name was on it.
Then Allison found another.
Her own.
She opened it.
Her face changed.
"What?"
May you like
She looked at Hannah.
"There's a third file."
