Lily began bringing her food to a rented room above an abandoned pharmacy.
The woman called herself Anna.
But one day, sick with fever, she dropped a photo.
In it, she stood beside Ethan Hayes.
Lily recognized him.
When she asked, the woman didn’t deny it.
She only asked for one thing: if she disappeared, Lily had to find Ethan and give him the bracelet.
No police.
No men in suits.
The mansion stood glowing on a hill, absurdly bright against the storm.
Logan met them at the side entrance.
Olivia’s study was destroyed.
Drawers pulled open. Frames ripped down. Desk forced open.
Ethan stepped inside, cold anger settling into his bones.
That room had been untouched since her death.
No one was allowed inside.
In the adjoining room stood Ryan, flawless as always; Eleanor Hayes, his elegant stepmother; and Victor Caldwell, already prepared to sound reasonable.
“Ethan,” Ryan said, “thank God you’re back. Looks like a break-in. Probably jewelry.”
Ethan didn’t answer.
He just watched Ryan’s face when he saw the bracelet.
A flicker. A hesitation.
Enough.
Lily stepped forward and handed Ethan an envelope.
His name was written in Olivia’s handwriting.
Inside: documents, a flash drive, and a note.