Even the sound of the arriving train seemed distant.
Daniel staggered backward.
“No… no… that’s impossible.”
Tears rolled down Emily’s face.
“You told them I left.”
Daniel stared at her as if reality itself had broken.
“Emily… they told me you were dead.”
Emily slowly stood, still shaking from the cold.
“No, Daniel,” she whispered. “They made sure you believed that.”
Daniel’s breathing became heavy.
“What are you talking about?”
Emily looked directly into his eyes.
“The night our twins were born… your father came into my hospital room.”
Daniel’s face went pale.
“He said I was ruining your future. He said you would choose your company over me eventually.” Her voice cracked. “Then he took the babies away.”
Daniel shook his head violently.
“No…”
“He told me you signed papers. He told me you wanted me gone.”
The twins stared silently, confused and frightened.
Daniel felt his knees weaken.
Because his father had died three years earlier—
And suddenly Daniel remembered something.
A locked envelope.
A letter his father had left behind.
One he had never opened.
Daniel slowly looked at Emily.
Then at his daughters.
Then reached into his briefcase.
With shaking hands—
He pulled out the sealed envelope.
And written across the front were five terrifying words:
“For Daniel… after my death.”
THE END… OR IS IT?
