Chapter 15 - The Family Betrayal
Caroline had always been quiet.
That was what made it so terrifying.
She never argued.
Never demanded anything.
Never appeared ambitious.
She had spent years smiling politely while Patricia controlled the household.
Emily had trusted her.
Perhaps that had been the biggest mistake.
Back at the mansion, Daniel couldn't accept it.
"Caroline?"
Emily nodded.
"I saw her."
"You're certain?"
"Yes."
Patricia covered her face.
"No."
Emily looked at her.
"You knew."
Patricia shook her head.
"I didn't."
"Then who is she?"
Patricia looked confused.
"Caroline is my daughter."
Emily stared.
"Then why would she help George?"
Patricia whispered:
"I don't know."
Daniel grabbed his phone.
He called Caroline.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
Then a message arrived.
Don't look for me.
Daniel stared.
Another message followed.
You don't know what Emily is.
Emily read it.
Her face became cold.
"What does that mean?"
Daniel didn't answer.
Another message.
She wasn't the only child Sophia had.
Emily froze.
"What?"
Daniel looked at her.
The room seemed to shrink.
Patricia whispered:
"No."
Emily turned toward her.
"Tell me."
Patricia shook her head.
"Tell me!"
Patricia began crying.
"Sophia had twins."
Silence.
Daniel looked at his mother.
"What?"
Patricia nodded.
"Two daughters."
Emily couldn't breathe.
"Where is the other one?"
Patricia whispered:
"Caroline."
Emily stared.
"No."
Patricia nodded.
"Caroline is your sister."
The revelation shattered everything.
Emily sat down.
Daniel looked stunned.
"But Caroline was born after Emily."
"No."
Patricia shook her head.
"They were born minutes apart."
Emily covered her mouth.
All those years.
All those family dinners.
All those arguments.
She had been sitting across from her own sister.
And neither of them knew.
Or perhaps Caroline had known.
Emily suddenly remembered something.
Caroline had once asked her:
"Do you ever feel like you don't belong here?"
Emily had laughed.
She thought it was jealousy.
Now she understood.
Caroline had been searching for the same truth.
Emily looked at Patricia.
"Why did my father take me and leave Caroline?"
Patricia's face crumpled.
"He couldn't take both."
"Why?"
"Because George had people watching the hospital."
Emily closed her eyes.
"Then how did Caroline survive?"
Patricia whispered:
"I took her."
Emily looked at her.
"You raised her."
"Yes."
"Knowing she was Sophia's daughter."
"Yes."
Emily's anger returned.
"Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because George believed both children were dead."
Emily stared.
"So you hid her."
"Yes."
"Then why is she working with him?"
Patricia looked broken.
"I don't know."
Emily stood.
"I do."
Daniel looked at her.
Emily's voice was quiet.
"Because George found out."
She looked toward the window.
"He told Caroline the truth."
Daniel frowned.
"And convinced her that you were the one who stole her life."
Emily felt a terrible sadness.
Her sister hadn't betrayed them because she wanted money.
She believed Emily had taken everything from her.
Her identity.
Her father.
Her inheritance.
Her childhood.
Her mother.
Everything.
Emily whispered:
"We need to find her."
Daniel nodded.
"And we will."
Patricia stood.
"I know where she is."
Everyone turned.
"Where?"
Patricia looked terrified.
"The old train station."
Emily grabbed her coat.
They left immediately.
At the station, the platforms were almost empty.
Emily walked through the abandoned waiting hall.
Then she heard a voice.
"You finally came."
Caroline stepped out of the shadows.
She held a folder.
Her eyes were full of tears.
"Emily."
Emily stopped.
"Caroline."
Her sister laughed bitterly.
"That's what you call me?"
Emily swallowed.
"What should I call you?"
Caroline's face broke.
"My sister."
She dropped the folder.
"I never wanted to hurt you."
Emily stepped forward.
"Then why?"
Caroline began crying.
"Because George told me you knew."
"Knew what?"
"That we were sisters."
Emily shook her head.
"I didn't."
Caroline stared.
"He lied."
Emily nodded.
"Yes."
Caroline looked toward the darkness.
"And now he's coming."
A slow clap echoed.
George appeared.
Behind him stood armed men.
May you like
He smiled.
"Family reunion."
