She Accidentally Sent Her Breakup Text to a Stranger—He Replied, “Don’t Send That Yet.”
Chapter 7
The flight to Boston was arranged within the hour.
Emily barely spoke.
She stared out the window.
Her mother was alive.
A fact that had once been impossible.
Now it was the only thing that mattered.
Ethan sat beside her.
“You don’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I do.”
“She disappeared to protect you.”
“Exactly.”
“Finding her could put you in danger.”
Emily looked at him.
“So can losing her again.”
He nodded.
“I understand.”
After landing, they drove to an old neighborhood outside the city.
Daniel had given them an address.
A small blue house.
No security.
No luxury.
Emily stood at the door.
Her hands trembled.
She knocked.
Nothing.
She knocked again.
A woman appeared in the hallway.
Older.
Gray hair.
Tired eyes.
But Emily recognized her instantly.
“Mom?”
The woman covered her mouth.
“Emily.”
They hugged.
Emily cried.
Her mother held her like she was still twenty.
“I thought you were dead.”
“I needed you to think that.”
“Why?”
“To keep you alive.”
Emily pulled away.
“You let me mourn you.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe I had no mother.”
“I know.”
Emily wiped her tears.
“Then tell me everything.”
Her mother looked at Ethan.
“Who is he?”
“Ethan Cole.”
Her mother’s expression changed.
“You brought him.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s the only person who can finish what we started.”
Ethan stepped forward.
“What do you mean?”
She explained that seven years earlier, she and Ethan’s mother had discovered Project Horizon.
The organization was controlled by a man named Marcus Vale.
A financial criminal with connections to dozens of companies.
Ethan’s father had tried to expose him.
Instead, he disappeared.
Ethan’s mother was threatened.
Emily’s mother went into hiding.
But they left one piece of evidence.
The Horizon Ledger.
A list of accounts and names.
“Where is it?” Ethan asked.
Her mother looked at Emily.
“Your mother gave it to me.”
“Why?”
“Because Marcus knew I had it.”
Emily looked confused.
“Then why didn’t he kill you?”
“Because he doesn’t know where I am.”
She turned toward the kitchen.
“Not until now.”
They froze.
Outside, headlights appeared.
Two black SUVs.
Her mother whispered:
“They followed you.”
Ethan looked at Emily.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
He smiled slightly.
“You really don’t listen.”
“Neither do you.”
He kissed her forehead.
“We’re getting you out.”
They escaped through the back.
Her mother led them through a narrow alley.
Then to an old train station.
There, she finally handed Ethan a small key.
“The ledger is in a vault.”
“Where?”
“Under your company headquarters.”
Ethan froze.
“My office?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Marcus believes the evidence is hidden overseas.”
Emily looked at her mother.
“Why use my number?”
Her mother smiled sadly.
“I didn’t.”
Emily froze.
“Then who did?”
Silence.
Her mother looked at Ethan.
“Daniel.”
“Why?”
“To force you two together.”
Emily stared.
“What?”
“He knew that if you accidentally contacted Ethan, he’d respond.”
Ethan looked stunned.
“You all planned this?”
“No.”
Her mother shook her head.
“Daniel took a risk.”
“He risked my life.”
“He believed you were the only person who could make Ethan stop hiding.”
Emily looked at Ethan.
“Hiding?”
His expression softened.
“He means my father’s secrets.”
Her mother nodded.
“Your father’s last warning was simple.”
“What?”
“Don’t trust the person who makes everything look easy.”
Emily frowned.
“Who does that describe?”
Her mother looked toward the station entrance.
A man walked in.
Perfect suit.
Calm smile.
A face Emily recognized immediately.
Daniel’s boss.
Marcus Vale.
