Chapter 2: The Photograph Opens the Past
Richard slowly looked at Sophie.
"What else did your mother leave you?"
Without understanding why everyone suddenly cared...
Sophie reached into her pocket.
She unfolded the old photograph.
The edges were faded.
The colors almost gone.
But the faces remained unmistakable.
A young Richard...
smiling.
Beside him stood Isabella.
She wore the same silver bracelet.
And in her arms...
she cradled a newborn baby.
On the back of the photograph, written in faded ink, were eight chilling words:
"Protect my daughter. Trust no one in this house."
Richard's knees nearly gave way.
Victoria lunged toward the photograph.
"That's fake!"
She tried to snatch it.
But Richard caught her wrist before she could touch it.
His voice turned cold.
"How did you know what was written on the back..."
"...before anyone read it?"
Victoria froze.
Every guest noticed.
May you like
For the first time that evening...
the woman who ruled the mansion looked terrified.
