Chapter 9 - The Vault
The vault was beneath the oldest part of The Pines.
The entrance was hidden beneath the wine cellar.
Teresa stood nearby, refusing to come closer.
Elena, Sofia, Javier, and Mariana descended the stairs.
At the bottom was a steel door.
The key fit.
Sofia turned it.
The lock opened.
Inside were dozens of boxes.
Documents.
Photographs.
Old ledgers.
Property deeds.
And a single wooden chest.
Sofia walked toward it.
Elena followed.
“Wait.”
Sofia stopped.
“What?”
“There may be something dangerous inside.”
Sofia smiled sadly.
“After everything that happened?”
Elena nodded.
“Especially after everything that happened.”
Sofia opened the chest.
Inside was a letter.
Her name was written on the envelope.
Sofia.
She recognized the handwriting.
Her hands trembled.
She opened it.
My daughter,
If you are reading this, I failed to protect you in the way I intended.
Sofia stopped.
Elena looked away.
Sofia continued silently.
Then she reached the final paragraph.
Her expression changed.
“What does it say?”
Sofia didn't answer.
Javier stepped closer.
“Sofia?”
She folded the letter.
“My father knew Teresa would try to take control of the family.”
Elena nodded.
“That isn't all.”
Sofia looked up.
“He didn't leave me the company.”
“What?”
“He left me the ability to decide who deserved it.”
Javier frowned.
“What does that mean?”
Sofia looked toward the boxes.
“There are voting rights here.”
“How many?”
“All of them.”
Javier's face went pale.
“The entire company?”
Sofia nodded.
Elena whispered,
“Your father transferred control before he disappeared.”
Sofia looked at the letter again.
There was another sentence written at the bottom.
But there was no signature.
Only four words.
Trust the one who waits.
Sofia looked at Elena.
Elena looked back.
Then Mariana suddenly spoke.
“I know what that means.”
Everyone turned.
Mariana's face had gone pale.
“It means Teresa.”
Sofia stared at her.
“Why?”
May you like
Mariana swallowed.
“Because she has been waiting too.”
