Chapter 12: The Friend Who Betrayed Us
The person standing in the doorway was Mrs. Collins.
My supervisor.
The woman who gave me the extra shift at the gala.
The woman who watched my life change that night.
The woman who had always treated me kindly.
I stared at her.
“No.””
She looked at me sadly.
“I’m sorry.””
I stepped backward.
“You?””
Mrs. Collins entered the garage slowly.
“I never wanted you involved.””
Thomas’s expression turned cold.
“You were watching her.””
Mrs. Collins looked away.
“Yes.””
My stomach twisted.
“All this time?””
She nodded.
“I was told to monitor the situation.””
“By who?””
Nobody answered.
Then Alexander walked in behind her.
My blood ran cold.
“You.””
Alexander looked tired.
“Not everything is what you think.””
I laughed.
“Really?””
My voice cracked.
“Because from where I’m standing, everyone has been lying to me.””
Nobody spoke.
And that was the truth.
Everyone had.
Even the people who loved me.
Even the people trying to protect me.
I looked at Grandpa.
He looked devastated.
“Nia…”
I shook my head.
“Not now.””
The words hurt him.
But I couldn’t stop.
I was tired of secrets.
Tired of being the last person to know my own story.
Mrs. Collins stepped forward.
“I know how this looks.””
“You helped someone spy on me.””
“I was trying to protect you.””
“Everyone says that.””
My voice echoed through the garage.
“Everyone.””
She lowered her head.
“I knew your mother.””
I froze.
“What?””
“Before she disappeared.””
Thomas stared at her.
“How?””
Mrs. Collins looked at him.
“She saved my life.””
The room went quiet.
“She helped me escape from people who were working with Michael.””
I looked at her.
“Then why betray us?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Because they threatened my family.””
The answer made everyone silent.
“Who?””
She looked at Alexander.
Then away.
“Michael.””
My heart dropped.
“But Michael is gone.””
Nobody responded.
Because that wasn’t true.
Not anymore.
A phone rang.
Mrs. Collins froze.
It was hers.
She looked at the screen.
The name displayed:
*Michael Carter*
Everyone stopped breathing.
Thomas grabbed the phone.
The call ended immediately.
But it was enough.
Michael was alive.
And he was close.
Grandpa slowly stood.
His face was filled with fear.
“He knows.””
I looked at him.
“Knows what?””
He stared at the necklace.
“The device.””
Thomas checked the small piece of technology.
Then his face changed.
“What?””
I stepped closer.
“What is it?””
He looked at me.
“The data is incomplete.””
“Meaning?””
He swallowed.
“Your mother split the evidence into two parts.””
Eleanor frowned.
“One is here.””
Thomas nodded.
“And the other…”
He looked at me.
I felt cold before he even spoke.
“The other was never hidden.””
“Where was it?””
Thomas stared at the necklace.
Then at me.
“Your mother carried it with her.””
Silence.
I understood.
“The night she disappeared.””
He nodded.
“She gave birth to you after hiding the first part.””
My heart raced.
“But where is the second part?””
Thomas looked at the door.
Because suddenly, we heard footsteps outside.
Slow.
Heavy.
Someone approaching.
Grandpa whispered:
“Nia…”
The door handle moved.
Everyone froze.
Then the door opened.
An old man stepped inside.
Gray hair.
Cold eyes.
A face I had only seen in old photographs.
Michael Carter.
He looked at me.
Then at the necklace.
And smiled.
“After thirty years…”
May you like
He whispered.
“I finally found Sarah’s daughter.””
