The Aunt He Never Knew
Chapter 07 - The Aunt He Never Knew
Elena sat down.
For twenty years, she had tried not to speak about her younger brother.
Owen.
Caleb's father.
"You knew him?" Caleb whispered.
Elena could barely answer.
"He was my brother."
Caleb looked between her and Daniel.
"Then you're my aunt?"
Elena nodded.
Tears filled her eyes.
"I think I am."
Six years earlier, Elena had believed the reports.
She believed Owen had stolen the money.
She believed he had run.
Their father died believing his son had disgraced the family.
Their mother refused to mention Owen's name again.
Elena had blamed Sarah too.
She assumed Sarah had known about the theft.
So when Sarah tried contacting her after Owen disappeared, Elena ignored every call.
"I was angry," Elena admitted.
Caleb's expression hardened.
"My mom needed you."
"I know."
"You didn't answer."
"No."
The truth hurt more because there was no excuse.
Elena had spent years helping strangers in an airport while refusing to answer a member of her own family.
Then she remembered something.
One final voicemail from Sarah.
She had never deleted it.
Elena opened her phone archive.
The message was six years old.
Sarah's voice trembled through the speaker.
"Elena, please. Owen didn't steal anything. I know you're angry, but something terrible is happening. If anything happens to us, talk to Daniel Reyes."
Daniel closed his eyes.
The same name.
The same warning.
Elena started crying quietly.
"I could have helped."
Daniel shook his head.
"You couldn't have known."
"But I could have answered."
Caleb said nothing.
Then Elena's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
For three seconds, there was only breathing.
Then a woman's voice whispered.
"Elena?"
Caleb jumped up.
It was Sarah.
Before Elena could speak, Sarah said four words.
"Don't trust the police."
May you like
The line went dead.
And standing just outside the glass office door was Daniel Reyes.
