CHAPTER 8: The Truth That Changed Everything
The forest became completely silent.
Everyone stared at the laptop screen.
The file name was still flashing.
"Emily's Real Father."
Emily couldn't move.
Her entire life had been built around one truth.
Richard Collins was her father.
The powerful businessman.
The man who raised her.
The man she spent years trying to make proud.
But now...
Everything was about to collapse.
"Don't open it."
Richard's voice suddenly changed.
For the first time...
He sounded afraid.
Emily slowly turned toward him.
"You’re scared of this video?"
Richard said nothing.
That silence told her everything.
Daniel stepped closer.
"Emily..."
"Whatever is inside that file, you need to see it."
With trembling hands, Emily pressed play.
The screen showed her mother again.
But this time...
She wasn't alone.
Standing beside her was a man Emily had never seen before.
A younger man.
A man with the same eyes as Emily.
Her mother's voice shook.
"Emily, if you are watching this, then Richard has already revealed himself."
"He lied to you your entire life."
The camera moved toward the unknown man.
Emily's heart stopped.
Her mother whispered:
"This is your real father."
Everyone looked at Richard.
His face turned pale.
The man on the screen looked directly into the camera.
"My name is Thomas Walker."
"I was the original owner of the company Richard stole."
Emily covered her mouth.
"No..."
Her mother continued.
"Richard didn't build an empire."
"He stole one."
"He took Thomas's identity."
"He destroyed everyone who knew the truth."
Daniel looked at Richard with disbelief.
"You killed him..."
Richard stayed silent.
Sarah stepped backward.
"All these years..."
"You made everyone believe you were the victim."
Richard suddenly laughed.
A terrifying laugh.
"You people are so obsessed with the truth."
"You forget one thing..."
"The winner writes history."
Then Richard reached inside his jacket.
Everyone reacted instantly.
Daniel raised his weapon.
"Don't!"
But Richard wasn't reaching for a gun.
He pulled out an old photograph.
He threw it onto the ground.
Emily picked it up.
The photo showed her mother...
Holding a baby.
And standing beside her was Thomas Walker.
But behind them...
Was another person.
Someone Emily recognized immediately.
Her heart shattered.
Because the person standing behind her mother in the photo...
Was Sarah.
Emily looked at Sarah in shock.
"You knew?"
Sarah's eyes filled with tears.
"I was there the night your mother died."
The forest went silent.
Emily whispered:
"What happened that night?"
Sarah looked at Richard.
Then at Emily.
"The person who killed your mother..."
"Wasn't Richard."
Everyone froze.
Sarah took a deep breath.
"It was someone who wanted Richard blamed."
"Someone who has been controlling this entire story from the beginning."
Emily looked around.
Everyone was silent.
Then Sarah said the words that destroyed the last piece of trust Emily had left.
May you like
"The person who killed your mother..."
"Is standing here with us right now."
