Chapter 3: The Letter Hidden Inside the Bracelet
Three weeks after the birthday gathering, the Ashford mansion was quieter than it had ever been.
No reporters.
No board meetings.
No elegant parties.
Only silence.
Emily wandered through the library, still uncomfortable calling it home.
Every hallway carried memories that belonged to someone else.
Victoria found her sitting on the floor between shelves filled with old family albums.
"I've been looking everywhere."
Emily smiled.
"I got lost."
Victoria laughed softly.
"You've lived here for almost a month."
"I know."
Emily looked around.
"But sometimes I still feel like I'm visiting."
Victoria sat beside her.
"So do I."
Neither woman noticed Daniel Hart approaching until he cleared his throat.
"I believe," he said, holding a small velvet box, "your mother left one final surprise."
Victoria frowned.
"I thought everything had already been inventoried."
"So did I."
Daniel placed the faded blue box onto the table.
"It was discovered inside a safety deposit box registered under your mother's maiden name."
Emily reached toward it first.
Inside rested their repaired silver bracelet.
Except...
It looked different.
The jeweler had found something hidden inside one of the moon charms.
A tiny folded piece of paper.
So small it had remained unnoticed for nearly twenty years.
Daniel carefully unfolded it.
Their mother's handwriting appeared.
If my girls ever lose each other...
remember this.
The lake never took what the fire could not burn.
Find the willow.
Victoria's heartbeat quickened.
"The willow?"
Emily whispered.
"The old lake house."
Daniel nodded slowly.
"The property has remained untouched since the fire."
Victoria looked at Emily.
"What if Mother hid something there?"
May you like
Emily squeezed her sister's hand.
"Then let's finally go home."
