Chapter 6: The Name at the Bottom
The name at the bottom of the letter made my hands go numb.
Margaret Hayes.
Daniel’s mother.
For a few seconds, I convinced myself there had to be another explanation.
Maybe she had written it for a different reason.
Maybe I misunderstood.
Maybe I was desperately searching for something that would make my husband less guilty.
But then I remembered her face when she laughed at me.
I remembered her saying I needed to remember who had power.
And suddenly, the pieces fit together.
My father watched me carefully.
“Emily.””
I looked up.
“She planned everything?””
Dad didn’t answer immediately.
That hesitation told me more than words could.
“I think she started it,” he finally said.
“Started it?””
He nodded.
“Daniel was involved. But I don’t think he was the one who created the entire plan.””
I looked back at the letter.
“Then why would Daniel write this?””
My father leaned forward.
“Because maybe he finally realized what he was helping create.””
I wanted to believe that.
I hated that I wanted to believe that.
Because even after everything, some part of me still remembered the man who used to dance with me in the kitchen at midnight.
The man who held my hand during thunderstorms because he knew I hated them.
The man who cried when we lost our first pregnancy.
How could someone who once loved me become someone who planned to destroy me?
That question haunted me.
The next morning, I went to Daniel’s apartment.
He had left our house after my father confronted him.
I stood outside his door for almost five minutes before knocking.
When he opened it, he looked surprised.
“Emily?””
I held up the letter.
His expression changed instantly.
“Where did you get that?””
“Your mother’s name is on it.””
He looked away.
That was enough.
“You knew.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
“I knew some of it.””
My chest tightened.
“Some of it?””
He stepped aside.
“Come in.””
I didn’t want to.
But I needed answers.
His apartment looked nothing like our home.
Empty.
Cold.
Temporary.
Like someone who already knew they wouldn’t stay.
I placed the letter on the table.
“Start talking.””
Daniel sat down.
For the first time, he looked scared.
Not angry.
Not defensive.
Scared.
“My mother found out about your grandfather’s property months ago.””
I crossed my arms.
“How?””
“She saw some documents when she visited.””
“And?””
“And she became obsessed.””
I stared at him.
“She wanted my inheritance.””
Daniel nodded slowly.
“She thought it would change everything.””
“Change what?””
He looked ashamed.
“Her life.””
I laughed bitterly.
“So she destroyed mine to improve hers?””
Daniel didn’t respond.
That was the answer.
I walked toward the window.
“Why did you help her?””
The silence stretched.
Finally, he spoke.
“Because I was weak.””
I turned around.
“I don’t want an excuse.””
“It’s not an excuse.””
His voice cracked.
“It’s the truth.””
He rubbed his hands together.
“When my father died, my mother struggled. She always believed she deserved more. More money.
More respect. More control.””
“That’s not my problem.””
“I know.””
He looked at me.
“But I spent my whole life trying to make her happy.””
“And what about me?””
His eyes filled with regret.
“I failed you.””
The honesty hurt more than a lie.
Because for the first time, Daniel wasn’t trying to convince me.
He was admitting it.
“What was the birthday plan?””
He looked down.
“She wanted everyone there because she needed witnesses.””
“For what?””
“To make you look unstable.””
My stomach turned.
“She wanted people to see you crying.””
“Yes.””
“She wanted me embarrassed.””
“Yes.””
“And you agreed.””
Daniel whispered:
“Yes.””
The word hung between us.
I waited for him to defend himself.
He didn’t.
“I thought if I helped her prove you were difficult, I could convince you to sell the property.””
I stared at him.
“So you were going to manipulate me.””
“Yes.””
“Then what changed?””
He looked at the floor.
“When she told me what she planned to do next.””
My heart slowed.
“What next?””
Daniel swallowed.
“She wasn’t just trying to get the property.””
I stepped closer.
“What was she trying to do?””
Before he could answer, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
His face immediately changed.
I saw the name.
Mom.
He ignored it.
The phone rang again.
Then again.
Finally, Daniel answered.
“What?””
A woman’s angry voice came through the speaker.
Even from across the room, I could hear it.
“Where are you? Did you tell her?””
Daniel looked at me.
His face went pale.
“Mom…”
Margaret continued.
“You idiot. After everything I did for you, you were supposed to keep quiet.””
I felt my blood run cold.
Daniel slowly moved the phone away.
But it was too late.
I had heard enough.
Margaret wasn’t surprised.
She was angry.
Because Daniel had betrayed her.
And that meant one thing.
There was a part of the plan that even Daniel didn’t know.
Daniel ended the call.
I stared at him.
“What didn’t she tell you?””
He looked terrified.
“I don’t know.””
“You need to find out.””
Emily.
I looked at the door.
A shadow moved outside.
Someone was standing there.
Daniel noticed it too.
His face changed.
“Get away from the door.””
“Why?””
Then the handle started turning.
Slowly.
The door opened.
And Margaret walked in.
But she wasn’t alone.
She was carrying a folder.
May you like
And she was smiling.
“I think it’s time,” she said, “that everyone knows the truth.””