Chapter 12
Chapter 12 A Secret From the Past
That night, Richard went into his father's old study.
The room had remained untouched for years.
Dust covered the bookshelves.
Old photographs filled the walls.
Richard began searching through his father's personal files.
After several hours, he found an old leather journal.
He opened it carefully.
Most of the pages contained notes about business.
But several pages near the end were different.
Richard read them slowly.
His father's handwriting described a secret relationship with a woman named Elena.
Richard froze.
Elena had been Victoria's older sister.
Richard's father had written that Elena had once worked for the Anderson family.
She had left the household suddenly after a serious disagreement.
But there was another shocking detail.
A final entry read:
"Elena has a daughter. I believe the child may be mine."
Richard dropped the journal onto the desk.
His heart was pounding.
Richard: No...
Suddenly, the study door opened.
Sarah stood there.
Sarah: Richard?
He looked at her.
Richard: My father may have had another child.
Sarah stepped closer.
Sarah: Another child?
Richard nodded.
Richard: A daughter.
He showed her the journal.
Sarah read the final entry.
Sarah: Do you know who she is?
Richard shook his head.
Richard: Not yet.
At that moment, his phone rang.
The caller ID showed an unknown number.
Richard answered.
Richard: Hello?
A woman's voice responded.
Woman: Richard Anderson?
Richard: Yes.
There was a long silence.
Woman: My name is Emily Carter.
Richard's eyes widened.
Emily: I believe we are related.
The call suddenly ended.
Richard stood completely still.
Sarah looked at him.
Sarah: Who was that?
May you like
Richard slowly lowered the phone.
Richard: I think I just found my sister.
