CHAPTER 4 – "The Last Secret"
Ryan was arrested that night.
Victoria betrayed him within twenty-four hours.
Board members resigned.
News channels played Emily’s video nonstop.
America called it the scandal of the century.
But Emily knew the truth was still incomplete.
Because one file from her father’s flash drive remained locked.
Its title was simple:
PROJECT EVE.
Jonathan Hale warned her not to open it.
“Some secrets are buried for a reason.”
But Emily had already lost too much to fear the truth.
She opened the file.
Inside was a birth certificate.
Not hers.
Ryan’s.
Emily stopped breathing.
Ryan Carter was not the son of the Carter family.
He had been adopted secretly after his biological parents died in a suspicious fire.
Then she saw another document.
Her father had known Ryan since childhood.
He had paid for his education.
Given him his first job.
Trusted him like a son.
Ryan hadn’t just betrayed Emily.
He had betrayed the man who saved his life.
But the final video was worse.
Emily’s father appeared on screen, older and sick, speaking directly to her.
“My daughter… if Ryan ever hurts you, remember this.”
“He was never the real enemy.”
Emily’s blood turned cold.
The camera shifted.
Someone stepped behind her father.
A woman.
Elegant.
Familiar.
Victoria.
But she was standing beside him years before she ever became Ryan’s assistant.
Emily whispered, “No…”
Her father’s voice trembled.
“She planned everything.”
“She created Ryan.”
“She used him to reach you.”
“And if you are alive… she will come for the child next.”
At that exact moment, Emily heard a soft noise from the nursery.
The baby monitor crackled.
Then Victoria’s voice whispered through it.
“Congratulations, Emily.”
“It’s a girl.”
Emily ran toward the nursery—
May you like
But the crib was empty.
To Be Continued
