Chapter 6 - The Empty Cottage
At the edge of Rosehaven stood a small stone cottage Theodore once used as a private office.
After his death, its door remained locked.
The brass key opened it.
Inside, Paige found shelves of gardening books, an old wooden desk, and framed photographs of the family before grief had divided them.
On the desk sat a single white envelope.
It contained a letter from Theodore.
My dear Paige,
You have spent too much of your life believing patience requires surrender. It does not.
I know Grant will come for Rosehaven. I fear Kyle may help him. Do not fight them with anger. Let them become confident. Let them speak freely. Let them believe you have no defense.
The garden will hold what you need when their intentions are finally spoken on this land.
Trust Samuel.
Trust Mrs. Alvarez.
Most of all, trust yourself.
Paige pressed the letter to her chest.
A floorboard creaked behind her.
She turned and found Kyle standing in the doorway.
“How did you get in?”
“The side gate still recognizes my code.”
She stepped between him and the desk.
Kyle looked exhausted. His expensive suit was wrinkled, and dark shadows surrounded his eyes.
“Grant says you’re planning to accuse us of fraud.”
“Are you committing fraud?”
He did not answer.
Paige held up their father’s letter.
“He knew Grant was using you.”
“You don’t understand.”
“Then explain it.”
Kyle sank into a chair.
He admitted that Grant had introduced him to investors and encouraged him to guarantee a development project. The project collapsed. Grant then purchased parts of the debt through another company.
“He owns you,” Paige said.
“He can destroy me.”
“He already is.”
Kyle rubbed his face.
“If Rosehaven is sold, my share covers everything.”
“There may be no share.”
“Then help me force the amendment open.”
“By removing me?”
“Temporarily. Leave for a year. Let the trust decide.”
Paige shook her head.
“Grant will take everything before the year ends.”
Kyle stood abruptly.
“You think you’re stronger than everyone because you stayed beside Dad.”
“No. I stayed because I loved him.”
“And I left because I couldn’t breathe here after Mom died.”
The confession silenced them both.
Paige approached him.
“Help me stop Grant.”
Kyle’s eyes filled with shame, but fear won.
“I can’t.”
He left the cottage.
May you like
On the desk, Paige noticed that her father’s letter contained a final line written faintly along the bottom.
The roses remember every threat made among them.
