CHAPTER 1 — The Letter That Was Never Supposed to Be Opened
The funeral ended in complete silence.
No one cried anymore.
They were too busy wondering who would inherit the enormous Blackwood Estate.
The mansion had belonged to Eleanor Blackwood—a woman so wealthy that politicians, judges, and billionaires once waited weeks just to have dinner with her. But during the last years of her life, she had isolated herself from everyone except a single granddaughter.
Emily.
At just twenty-four years old, Emily stood quietly beside the antique coffin, dressed in black, avoiding the cold stares from her uncles, aunts, and cousins.
To them, she was nothing more than an outsider.
"The favorite," they whispered.
"The old woman spoiled her."
"She's probably getting everything."
Emily ignored every insult. She hadn't visited her grandmother for money.
She had come because Eleanor was the only person who had ever truly believed in her.
As the guests prepared to leave, the family's attorney suddenly entered the library carrying an old wooden chest covered with dust.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced.
"Mrs. Eleanor Blackwood left one final instruction."
The room froze.
"Before her will can be read... someone must first open this chest."
Everyone leaned closer.
The attorney slowly unlocked the rusted brass lock.
Inside...
There were dozens of faded photographs.
An old silver pocket watch.
A bundle of yellowed letters tied together with a blue ribbon.
And on top...
One sealed envelope.
Across the front, written in Eleanor's unmistakable handwriting, were chilling words.
'Only Emily may read this letter.'
The entire room exploded.
"What?!"
"This is ridiculous!"
"Why only her?"
Emily's hands trembled as she accepted the envelope.
She hesitated.
"What if Grandma wanted everyone to hear it?" she asked softly.
The attorney nodded.
"She anticipated that question."
He unfolded another document.
"It says... Emily must read every word aloud."
Silence swallowed the room.
Emily carefully broke the wax seal.
As she unfolded the fragile paper, she immediately noticed something strange.
The handwriting looked rushed.
Almost frightened.
She took a deep breath and began reading.
The very first sentence drained every drop of color from her face.
"If you are reading this... someone in this room already knows how I really died."
The room instantly erupted into panic.
One of Emily's uncles quietly stepped backward toward the door.
May you like
No one noticed.
Except Emily.
