Chapter 8 - THE JOURNALDaniel read until sunrise.
Rachel had discovered the charity fraud months earlier.
She had secretly collected evidence.
But then she discovered something worse.
The organization wasn't merely stealing money.
It was using vulnerable families as part of a hidden network of illegal financial transactions.
Rachel had tried to expose them.
Someone threatened her.
Then someone threatened Emma.
Rachel became terrified.
She began pretending everything was normal.
The empty refrigerator suddenly made sense.
She had been secretly moving money, changing accounts, and preparing an escape.
But something had gone wrong.
Daniel turned the final page.
There was a single address.
An old church.
And beneath it:
Trust no one except the man who brings Emma home.
Daniel looked at Marcus.
“You knew about this?”
Marcus nodded.
“Some of it.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because Rachel made me promise.”
Daniel slammed the journal shut.
“You let me believe she abandoned us.”
“I let you believe whatever kept you alive.”
Daniel wanted to hit him.
Instead, he looked at Emma.
She was asleep beside Cooper.
The anger disappeared.
“Take me to the church.”
Marcus shook his head.
“It's dangerous.”
“I don't care.”
“You should.”
Daniel stood.
“That's my wife.”
Marcus studied him.
May you like
Then nodded.
“Then let's find her.”
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