Chapter 3 - The Secret Hidden Behind the Lighthouse
For three days, Vincent’s security searched the coastline.
Nothing.
No footprints.
No cameras.
No evidence.
But Lily remained certain.
“He comes when the ocean is loud,” she said.
Sarah watched her daughter carefully.
“Who comes?”
“The other Mr. Vincent.”
Sarah sat beside her.
“Does he talk to you?”
Lily nodded.
“What did he say?”
The little girl hugged Mr. Buttons.
“He asked where my mommy sleeps.”
Sarah froze.
Her blood ran cold.
“What?”
Vincent heard it.
He immediately entered the room.
“What did she say?”
Sarah looked at him.
“She said the man asked where I sleep.”
Vincent’s expression changed.
The warmth disappeared.
The businessman returned.
“Lily, listen to me.”
The girl looked up.
“Did that man touch you?”
“No.”
“Did he hurt you?”
“No.”
Vincent lowered himself to her level.
“Then tell me exactly what happened.”
Lily thought.
“He watched us.”
“From where?”
“The lighthouse.”
Vincent stood.
“Marcus.”
Within minutes, the entire property was secured.
---
That evening, Marcus returned.
“We found something.”
Vincent looked up.
“What?”
“An old room beneath the lighthouse.”
Sarah, standing nearby, looked confused.
“Beneath?”
Marcus nodded.
“Hidden entrance. Someone has been staying there.”
Vincent’s jaw tightened.
“Adrian.”
Inside the hidden room, they found old photographs.
Newspaper articles.
And one shocking discovery.
Pictures of Vincent.
Pictures of Sarah.
Pictures of Lily.
Taken over the last month.
Sarah covered her mouth.
Someone had been watching them.
Vincent picked up one photograph.
It showed him walking with Lily near the garden.
On the back were three words.
You took everything.
---
That night, Sarah found Vincent sitting alone.
For the first time, he looked exhausted.
“You knew he hated you.”
Vincent nodded.
“Yes.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I thought he was gone.”
Sarah looked at him.
“And now?”
Vincent looked toward Lily’s bedroom.
May you like
“Now I have something to lose.”
---
