Inside, the warehouse smelled of dust and old wood.
We followed a narrow corridor until we reached a small office.
There was a desk.
A broken chair.
And a metal cabinet.
Elena looked at the photograph.
“This is it.”
She opened the cabinet.
Inside was a small wooden box.
My name was carved into the lid.
MARA.
My heart nearly stopped.
I opened it.
Inside was a letter.
And a small brass key.
I recognized the handwriting immediately.
My father’s.
My hands trembled as I unfolded the letter.
My little girl,
If you are reading this, then I am no longer there to protect you.
I had hoped you would never need this.
But if you do, then the truth has finally caught up with you.
Your mother and I did not die because of an accident.
We were murdered.
I covered my mouth.
The letter continued.
Daniel tried to save us.
He failed.
But before he disappeared, he gave me the evidence.
Arthur Sterling ordered everything.
The money.
The threats.
The deaths.
And if you’re reading this, he may still be alive.
But there is something more important.
Never trust anyone who tells you that protecting you requires lying to you.
