Chapter 9 - THE LETTER BENEATH THE FLOOR
Investigators searched Laura’s former studio.
Sophia had converted it into a bridal dressing room.
The walls were repainted.
Laura’s desk had been removed.
The twins insisted a loose floorboard existed near the window.
Their mother used to hide birthday presents beneath it.
Police lifted the board.
Inside was a waterproof envelope.
Laura had written Ethan’s name across the front.
The letter was dated three days before her death.
Ethan opened it alone.
Ethan,
I have delayed telling you because I wanted proof, not fear.
The Hales are stealing from the company.
Sophia Hale is involved.
She has approached me twice and pretended the meetings were accidental.
I believe she knows I found the accounts.
If anything happens, protect the girls before the company.
Do not let grief make decisions for you.
You always try to solve pain by working harder.
That will not help Ava or Chloe.
They need your attention more than your success.
Ethan stopped reading.
Laura had known him completely.
Even before death, she predicted the mistake he would make afterward.
He continued.
There is another matter.
My boat was accessed without permission.
The marina claims I approved it.
I did not.
Nathan has copies of the financial files, though he does not know why I sent them.
If I am wrong, I will apologize to Sophia.
If I am right, promise me you will believe evidence before charm.
Love,
Laura.
Ethan sat on the floor for a long time.
The letter did not absolve him.
It gave shape to his failure.
Laura had warned him from the past.
Sophia removed the letter before he could find it.
Then she entered the family exactly as Laura feared.
Ethan showed the letter to the twins with Dr. Ortiz present.
Ava cried when she recognized the handwriting.
Chloe touched the final line.
“She knew Sophia?”
“Yes.”
“Did Mom know she would die?”
“She was worried.”
“Why didn’t she tell us?”
“You were ten.”
Ava looked at Ethan.
“Why didn’t she tell you sooner?”
Ethan answered honestly.
“Because I was busy.”
The twins became silent.
“I made it difficult for people to interrupt me.”
“Your mother was trying to bring me proof.”
“Sophia made sure she never could.”
Chloe leaned against him.
“Mom said protect us before the company.”
“Yes.”
“Will you?”
May you like
Ethan looked at Laura’s letter.
“I will spend the rest of my life proving the answer.”
