Chapter 2: The Envelope He Saved for the War
My hands wouldn't stop shaking as I tore open the envelope.
Inside was a letter.
Thomas's handwriting.
And beneath it — legal documents I didn't understand yet.
"Read the letter first," the lawyer said quietly.
*Susan.
I know you came out of love, not obligation.
That matters more than you know.
I couldn't reach you when you were young — not because I didn't want to, but because someone made sure I couldn't.
I'm sorry it took me until the end to fight back.
What I've left behind is not a gift.
It's a responsibility.
And I believe you are the only one strong enough to carry it.*
I looked up.
"What does this mean?"
The lawyer folded his hands.
"Your father changed his will six days ago.
The morning after you arrived."
The door swung open behind him.
Caroline stood in the doorway, her face white.
"You told her already." Her voice was barely a whisper.
Then it hardened.
"She has been here one week.
ONE WEEK.
I have given my entire life to this family."
"Caroline—"
"Don't." She pointed at me, her hand trembling.
"Whatever he gave you, I will fight it.
Every single word of that document."
She turned and walked out.
The lawyer waited until her footsteps faded.
"There's one more thing," he said carefully.
"Something your father included that Caroline doesn't know about yet."
He placed a second, smaller envelope on the table.
"He said you'd need this when the fighting starts."
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What Thomas hid in that second envelope is the secret that changes everything.
Click the link below to read the full story — and find out what Caroline has been hiding all along.
