Chapter 9 - The Empty House
The ride down the glass elevator felt like waking up from a decade-long nightmare.
I walked out of the Sterling building as the undisputed CEO and sole owner of a billion-dollar empire.
The storm clouds outside had broken, allowing bright sunlight to wash over the busy city streets.
I tipped the valet generously and climbed into the driver's seat of my expensive new luxury sedan.
I had finally avenged Rebecca's death, secured my daughter's future, and punished the men who had ruined our lives.
The heavy weight I had carried since that fateful birthday party was finally gone.
I wanted nothing more than to go home, hug June, and celebrate our new life together.
I stopped at a high-end bakery on the way home and bought the most expensive, elaborate cake they had in the display case.
It was not a castle cake, but it was beautiful, covered in gold leaf and spun sugar.
I pulled into the driveway of the modest suburban house we had lived in for the past five years.
I carried the cake box up the front steps, whistling a happy tune as I unlocked the front door.
"June, I'm home!" I called out, closing the door behind me.
The house was completely silent.
Usually, she would come running down the stairs to greet me after school, but today there was no sound at all.
I set the cake box down on the entryway table and walked into the living room.
Her backpack was not resting in its usual spot by the sofa.
I called her name again, feeling a slight twinge of panic flutter in my chest.
I walked into the kitchen and froze completely in my tracks.
Sitting perfectly centered on our marble island was a bright yellow folder.
It was identical to the one I had just placed in front of Blake hours earlier.
My heart began to hammer violently against my ribs as I slowly approached the kitchen island.
I reached out with trembling hands and flipped the cover of the folder open.
There was no legal document or financial ledger inside.
May you like
There was only a single, glossy 8x10 photograph and a handwritten note.
I picked up the photograph and felt all the air violently leave my lungs.
