CHAPTER 3
My hands trembled as I unfolded the letter.
The room disappeared.
Only Dad's words remained.
"My dearest Hannah,
If this letter has reached you, then I'm no longer here.
I'm sorry.
But I knew this day would come.
For years I watched people change around money.
Especially inside our own family.
Your mother wasn't always like this.
Neither was Chloe.
But greed has a way of revealing who people truly are."
A tear slid down my cheek.
"I gave Chloe enough money over the past five years to help her start over.
She spent every dollar.
Luxury cars.
Designer clothes.
Vacations.
She asked for more each time.
When I refused...
She convinced your mother that I loved you more."
I looked at Chloe.
She refused to meet my eyes.
Dad continued.
"You never asked me for anything.
Even after paying your own college tuition.
Even after working two jobs.
Even after secretly helping me through my cancer treatments."
Gasps echoed around the room.
Mom looked at me.
"Cancer?"
I nodded slowly.
"Dad didn't want you to know."
Tears filled her eyes.
"You... knew?"
"For two years."
The room grew painfully quiet.
"I honored his wishes."
Dad's final paragraph nearly broke me.
"If your mother ever chooses love over greed...
Forgive her.
If she doesn't...
Walk away.
Some people share your blood.
Very few deserve your heart."
I folded the letter.
No one spoke.
Until Chloe exploded.
"She's lying!"
She lunged toward me.
But Robert stepped between us.
"The security cameras have already recorded everything."
"And there is one more document."
"What document?" Chloe snapped.
Robert opened another folder.
"It details over four hundred thousand dollars that Mr. Brooks loaned Chloe."
"Every payment."
"Every signature."
"Every missed repayment."
The color vanished from Chloe's face.
May you like
She whispered only one word.
"Dad..."
