Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: The Forgotten Will
Ryan’s exposure should have been enough.But old lies rarely fall alone.As hotel security called the police, another person entered the hall.Henry Parker.Emily and Ryan’s grandfather.He was eighty-one, tall, silver-haired, and slower than he used to be, but his eyes were sharp. He had not attended many family events after Walter’s death because he could no longer stand watching Margaret rewrite history.But Emily had invited him.And he had come late.Just in time.“What happened?” Henry asked.Margaret rushed toward him. “Dad, this is a misunderstanding.”Henry looked past her at Emily, then at Lily, then at Ryan’s pale face.“I doubt that.”Thomas Whitmore quietly explained what had been shown on the CCTV. Henry listened without interrupting.Then he reached into the inside pocket of his coat and pulled out a sealed envelope.“I suppose this is the right moment,” Henry said.Margaret stiffened.Charles looked at the envelope and turned gray.Emily noticed.“Grandpa?” she asked.Henry walked to her.“Your father left something for you,” he said. “Something your mother and brother did not want you to see.”Emily’s heart began to pound.Henry handed the envelope to Thomas.“Mr. Whitmore, would you read it aloud? I want witnesses.”Margaret whispered, “Dad, don’t.”Henry did not look at her.“For years,” he said, “you let this girl believe she had been forgotten by her father. Today, I am ending that lie.”Thomas opened the envelope.Inside was a notarized letter from Walter Parker.Emily recognized her father’s handwriting immediately.Her knees nearly gave out.
---
