Chapter 5 - The Truth About Charles Whitmore
The next morning, I asked my father a question I never thought I would ask.
"Dad..."
Charles looked up.
"What happened between you and Ryan?"
His expression changed.
Just slightly.
But I noticed.
"Why are you asking?"
"Because Ryan said you have secrets."
Charles became quiet.
Then he leaned back.
"I should have told you."
My heart sank.
"Told me what?"
Charles looked toward the window.
"Before Ryan married you, I investigated him."
I froze.
"You investigated my husband?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because something didn't feel right."
Charles explained.
Years earlier, Ryan had approached him about a business opportunity.
At the time, Charles refused.
Not because Ryan lacked talent.
Because he lacked honesty.
"I didn't want to control your life."
He looked at me.
"I wanted to protect you."
I shook my head.
"But you never told me."
"I thought I was wrong."
I looked down.
"Are you?"
Charles didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
That afternoon, another file arrived.
This one was different.
It contained emails.
Between Ryan and someone else.
Someone I knew.
Someone who had been around my family for years.
Charles opened the document.
Then his face changed.
"What?"
He looked at me.
"Emily..."
"What is it?"
He slowly turned the screen toward me.
I read the first message.
My hands went cold.
Because it proved something terrifying.
Ryan had not planned to hurt me because he was angry.
He planned it because someone had convinced him he could get away with it.
May you like
And the person helping him...
Was someone I never expected.
