CHAPTER 4 — The Grandfather’s Secret Room
Richard Vale’s mansion sat on a hill above the city, glowing like a palace built from lies.
Ethan arrived in the rain, not as a firefighter this time…
…but as a father.
Richard opened the door wearing a silk robe and a smile colder than winter.
“Ethan Carter,” he said. “Still chasing ghosts?”
“My daughter is alive.”
For the first time, Richard’s smile faded.
Only for one second.
Then he stepped aside.
“Come in.”
Inside the mansion, every wall was covered with portraits of Lily.
But there was not a single photo of Emma.
Not one.
Ethan noticed a locked door at the end of the hall.
“What’s in there?”
Richard’s voice sharpened.
“Memories that don’t belong to you.”
Suddenly, a small sound came from behind the door.
A music box.
The same lullaby Lily used to play for Emma.
Ethan shoved Richard aside and broke the lock.
Inside was a hidden room filled with children’s things.
Tiny dresses.
Birthday cards never sent.
Hospital bracelets.
And on the wall—
Dozens of photos of Sophie growing up.
Ethan turned slowly.
“You knew.”
Richard’s face twisted.
“I saved her from you.”
“You stole her from me!”
“I protected my bloodline from a poor firefighter who let my daughter burn!”
Ethan lunged forward, but police sirens screamed outside.
Richard smiled again.
“You should have stayed dead in your grief, Ethan.”
The front doors burst open.
But the officers didn’t arrest Richard.
They pointed their guns at Ethan.
Richard calmly adjusted his robe.
“Officer, this man broke into my home and threatened me.”
Ethan’s heart dropped.
Then Sophie appeared at the top of the stairs, trembling.
And in her tiny hand…
She held Lily’s old phone.
Still working.
Still recording.
May you like
And from the speaker came Richard’s own voice from ten years ago:
“Take the child. Burn the warehouse. Make sure Ethan finds nothing.”
