CHAPTER 3 — The Letter Hidden in the Piano
That evening, Richard canceled every business meeting for the next month.
Instead of returning to his office, he walked through the mansion one room at a time.
Looking.
Listening.
Asking questions.
Nobody answered.
Until the oldest housekeeper finally stepped forward.
Her name was Margaret.
She had worked for the Ashford family for forty-two years.
"I've been waiting for you to ask."
She handed Richard a small brass key.
"It belongs to the piano in your late wife's music room."
Confused, Richard unlocked the old grand piano.
Hidden beneath the sheet music was a wooden box.
Inside...
Were dozens of letters.
Every one addressed to him.
Every one written by Emily.
None had ever been mailed.
The first letter read:
Dear Dad,
Mrs. Victoria says I'm not allowed to call you anymore because you're too busy.
The second:
Dad,
She moved me into the servants' quarters today.
She said I don't deserve Mom's bedroom.
The third:
Dad,
I accidentally broke a glass.
She made me scrub the floors all night.
I wanted to tell you, but she said you'd never believe me.
Richard's hands began to shake.
There were twenty-seven letters.
The final one had never been folded.
Its ink was smeared by tears.
Dad,
I don't think you love me anymore.
If you did...
I think you would have come home.
Richard lowered the letter.
He couldn't breathe.
He hadn't abandoned his daughter intentionally.
But to Emily...
The reason no longer mattered.
His absence had become part of her suffering.
At that moment, his private security chief entered the room.
"Sir..."
"We recovered the deleted security footage."
Richard watched hours of recordings.
Victoria humiliating Emily in front of the staff.
Ordering servants not to feed her dinner.
Selling Emily's mother's jewelry.
Threatening anyone who spoke up.
Then came the final recording.
Victoria looking directly into a camera she thought was disconnected.
"By the time Richard realizes what's happening..."
"...she'll be too broken to fight back."
Richard quietly closed the laptop.
Then he picked up his phone.
May you like
"Prepare the boardroom."
"And call the police."
