Chapter 47 - THE OLD CHURCH
I went anyway.
Not alone.
Julian followed me.
We parked two streets away.
The church had been abandoned for years.
Broken windows.
Overgrown grass.
A single light glowed inside.
I stepped through the door.
“Eleanor?”
No answer.
Then I heard footsteps.
A woman appeared.
She looked older than the photographs.
But there was no doubt.
It was her.
My grandmother.
She smiled.
“Emily.”
I couldn't speak.
“You look like your father.”
“You destroyed his life.”
Her smile disappeared.
“I protected what belonged to this family.”
“What belonged to you?”
“The trust.”
“No.”
I stepped forward.
“The trust belongs to Noah.”
She laughed.
“That boy doesn't understand what he has.”
“He doesn't need to.”
“He will.”
“Why did you destroy my wedding?”
“Because you refused to cooperate.”
“You humiliated me.”
“You were supposed to break.”
“But I didn't.”
“No.”
She smiled.
“That is why you're dangerous.”
Julian stepped from the shadows.
Eleanor looked at him.
“And you.”
Julian said nothing.
“You betrayed me.”
“I never worked for you.”
“You married my granddaughter.”
“Yes.”
“And then you fell in love with her.”
Julian looked at me.
“Yes.”
Eleanor's expression hardened.
“That was your mistake.”
Suddenly, the church doors slammed shut.
I heard a click.
Gas began filling the room.
May you like
Julian grabbed my hand.
“Run!”
