Chapter 6 - THE HOSPITAL AND THE HIDDEN TRUTH
The hospital was warm and bright, a sharp contrast to the freezing night outside. They led us to a small examination room, where a doctor stitched Emily’s forehead and checked me over for frostbite and bruises. We were both exhausted, shivering, too tired to speak.
Police officers came and went, asking questions. Emily told them about the crash, about the man who had tried to grab us. But when they asked for a description, she hesitated.
"I didn’t see his face clearly," she said. "It was dark. And snowing."
She didn’t mention Daniel. She didn’t mention the trust, or the letter, or the phone call from Thomas. Not yet.
After the police left, we sat together on a bench in the hallway. Emily held my hand, staring at the wall. Her face was pale, her eyes red-rimmed.
"Why didn’t you tell them?" I asked quietly. "About Daddy?"
She looked down at me, surprised. Then she sighed, brushing hair from my face.
"Because, Noah… I don’t know who we can trust. If Daniel sent that man… he might have people everywhere. Even in the police force. Until we meet Thomas and see what proof he has… we keep this between us. Just us."
I nodded. I didn’t fully understand, but I trusted her.
Then her phone buzzed. She pulled it from her bag, flinching when she saw the name on the screen.
*Daniel.*
She stared at it for a long time. Then she answered, putting it on speaker.
"Hello?"
"Emily! Thank God! I’ve been going out of my mind!" Daniel’s voice sounded frantic, terrified. "I heard about the accident! Are you hurt? Is Noah alright?"
Emily didn’t answer immediately. She watched me as she spoke.
"We’re fine. A few cuts and bruises. Nothing serious."
"Thank God," Daniel repeated. He paused, then his tone shifted—concern turning into something else. "Emily… who hit you? The police said it was a hit-and-run."
Emily’s fingers tightened around the phone.
"That’s what they said."
"Was it… anyone you recognized?" Daniel asked carefully.
"No," Emily said. "A stranger. Never seen him before."
"I see." Daniel sounded relieved. Then: "Emily… please come home. The roads are terrible. It’s not safe out there. Whatever happened… we can fix it. Together."
Emily was quiet. Then she said:
"Daniel… did you send someone after us?"
Silence on the other end. Long and heavy.
Then Daniel spoke, his voice soft and wounded:
"How could you ask me that? I have been beside myself with worry. I would never hurt you. I would never hurt Noah. Whatever you think you know… it’s wrong. Evelyn is lying. Thomas is lying. Everyone is lying to turn you against me."
"And you?" Emily asked. "Are you telling the truth?"
"Always," Daniel said. "I have only ever loved you. And Noah. Please… come back."
Emily stood up slowly.
"I need time to think, Daniel. I will call you when I am ready."
She ended the call before he could say more.
"He says he didn’t do it," she told me, though she seemed to be speaking to herself.
"Do you believe him?" I asked.
Emily looked at me, her eyes filled with pain and doubt.
"I want to, Noah. More than anything. But the man who hit us… he said Daniel sent him."
She reached into her bag and pulled out the letter—the one from her father. She unfolded it, staring at the words again.
*Trust no one. Not even the ones you love most.*
May you like
Emily folded it carefully and put it away. Then she stood up, taking my hand.
"We have to meet Thomas. Only he knows the truth. And until we have proof… we can’t trust anyone. Not even your father."
