Chapter 3 - THE HOUSE THAT WAS NEVER THEIRSDad's voice remained calm.
"1408 Willow Creek Lane."
Richard stared at the phone.
"That's impossible."
"The deed is in my name."
Diane made a choking sound.
Richard stepped forward.
"We built this house."
"No," Dad replied. "You paid rent."
The room went silent.
I stared at Ryan.
"You knew?"
He couldn't answer.
Dad continued.
"Your husband knew."
Ryan finally whispered, "Emily..."
"Don't."
My voice was barely audible.
But it stopped him.
Dad revealed the truth.
Six years earlier, Ryan had come to him.
Begging for permission to marry me.
And in exchange, Ryan had offered Dad his shares in the family company.
He thought the agreement was a meaningless formality.
It wasn't.
My father had kept every document.
Every signature.
Every payment.
Every piece of evidence.
Ryan had spent six years convincing me that my father had abandoned me.
The truth was almost unbearable.
My father had called.
Ryan had answered.
Ryan had told him I didn't want to speak.
And Dad had believed him.
Until tonight.
Then came the final blow.
"Those shares," Dad said, "belong to me now."
Ryan's knees nearly buckled.
Diane screamed.
Richard shouted.
And Lily hid behind me.
Dad's voice softened.
May you like
"Emily, I'm coming."
For the first time in six years, I believed him.
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