Chapter 13 - THE SECRET THAT CHANGED DANIEL'S STORY
Nobody spoke.
Margaret felt as though the entire backyard had disappeared.
Daniel.
Melissa's mother.
The hidden account.
The house.
The mortgage.
Everything seemed connected.
But there was one question she had never asked.
"Why?"
Melissa looked at her.
"Because your husband wasn't the man you thought he was."
Margaret shook her head.
"Don't."
"I'm not trying to hurt you."
"Then stop."
Melissa hesitated.
For the first time, she looked almost human.
Almost afraid.
"My mother and Daniel worked together."
Margaret stared.
"Doing what?"
"Investments."
"Illegal?"
Melissa shook her head.
"Not at first."
Thomas stepped forward.
"Where is your mother now?"
Melissa looked at him.
"She disappeared."
"When?"
"After Daniel died."
Margaret whispered:
"You knew where she was."
Melissa did not answer.
Ryan stared at her.
"You've been lying to me for years."
Melissa looked at him.
"I was trying to protect you."
"No."
Ryan's voice became firmer.
"You were protecting yourself."
Margaret looked at the house.
"What did Daniel leave behind?"
Melissa's eyes moved toward the kitchen.
"Something."
"What?"
"I don't know."
Margaret frowned.
"You just said you knew."
"I know where it was."
"Where?"
Melissa looked toward Ryan.
"Your father hid it inside the house."
Margaret felt her heart race.
"What?"
Melissa smiled faintly.
"The house was never just a house."
Then she walked toward the back door.
Ryan moved to stop her.
"Where are you going?"
Melissa turned.
"To find what your father left."
Margaret stepped forward.
"You're not going anywhere."
Melissa looked at her.
May you like
Then she said quietly:
"You should be asking yourself why Daniel trusted me with the location."
