Chapter 28 - The Warning
Back inside the safety of the house, I placed the silver locket on the kitchen island. Lily was happily watching cartoons in the living room, completely oblivious to the tension radiating between my father and me.
"We need to open it," my father said, staring at the crescent moon engraving.
I took a deep breath, pressing my thumbnail into the tiny clasp. The locket popped open with a soft click. Inside, there was no photograph. Instead, a tightly folded piece of thin parchment paper was wedged into the circular frame.
I carefully extracted the paper and unfolded it. The handwriting was elegant, precise, and chillingly familiar.
"Did you really think the dark chapters were finished, Emmy? Peace is a luxury paid for with blood. You still owe me a debt."
"It's Silas," I confirmed, sliding the note across the marble counter to my father.
My father read the words, his jaw clenching so hard I thought his teeth might crack.
"He wants the ledger, Emmy. It’s the only reason he would risk coming out of hiding."
"The ledger burned in the fire," I said firmly.
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"But he doesn't know that," my father replied. "He thinks you hid the offshore account numbers to protect yourself. He’s going to come for you, and he’s going to use Lily to get what he wants."
"No," I said, a cold, unwavering resolve settling over me. "He is never touching my daughter."
