Chapter 6 - THE BOX UNDER THE FLOORBOARD
Adrian and Nia returned home without speaking.
The security team searched the house before allowing them inside.
Nothing.
No intruder.
No broken lock.
No missing item.
Then Adrian went straight to the bedroom.
“What are we looking for?”
Daniel had been vague.
“Something your mother left.”
Nia remembered the old photograph.
The necklace.
The pendant.
She looked at the hardwood floor.
“Your mother stayed in this room?”
“Sometimes.”
“When?”
“Before she died.”
Nia walked toward the window.
There was an old reading chair in the corner.
She moved it.
Nothing.
Then she noticed a slight difference in the floorboards.
One board was newer.
Adrian knelt.
He pulled it up.
A small wooden box was hidden beneath it.
Inside were letters.
Photographs.
And a red velvet pouch.
Nia opened it.
A wedding ring.
Adrian stared.
“That was my mother's.”
Underneath the ring was a photograph.
His mother.
Richard.
And a baby.
On the back:
ERIN, THREE MONTHS.
Adrian closed his eyes.
“She knew.”
“Yes.”
“She loved her.”
“Yes.”
“Why did she give her away?”
Nia looked at him.
“Because she believed it was the only way to keep her alive.”
He opened another letter.
This one was addressed to him.
My son,
If you are reading this, then someone has finally forced the truth into your hands.
I lied because your father made fear part of our marriage.
I loved you.
I loved your sister.
I failed both of you.
Adrian stopped reading.
Nia placed a hand on his shoulder.
He continued.
Richard was not the thief.
Your father was.
Richard spent years trying to repair what your father destroyed.
If you ever meet Erin, do not punish her for the choices we made.
She deserves a family.
Adrian's eyes filled.
“She knew.”
Nia nodded.
“She knew everything.”
A sound came from the hallway.
They turned.
Erin stood there.
Her face was pale.
“I didn't know you found it.”
Adrian stared at her.
“How long have you known?”
“About what?”
“That you're my sister.”
Erin's eyes filled.
“Three months.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was scared.”
“Of me?”
“Of what you would think.”
Adrian walked toward her.
She stepped back.
“You have every reason to hate me.”
“No.”
“You don't understand.”
“I do.”
“You lost your mother because of people like my family.”
“So did you.”
Erin began crying.
“I didn't want your money.”
“I know.”
“I only wanted my baby safe.”
Adrian stopped.
“Your baby?”
She nodded.
“The baby is Daniel's.”
Nia looked at Daniel's watch.
The pieces finally fit.
Daniel was not simply protecting Erin.
He was protecting his unborn child.
Adrian stared at his sister.
“You're carrying Daniel's baby.”
“Yes.”
“And Richard?”
“He's been protecting us.”
“Then why did he let me believe he was dead?”
“Because your father had men searching for him.”
Adrian looked at the letters.
“Where is he?”
Erin shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Then the front door opened.
Everyone froze.
A man's voice echoed through the foyer.
“Adrian.”
Daniel stepped into the bedroom doorway.
His face went pale.
“That voice.”
Adrian looked at him.
“Who is it?”
Daniel whispered,
“Your father.”
Adrian stared.
“My father is dead.”
Daniel shook his head.
“No.”
May you like
He looked toward the hallway.
“That is Richard.”
