CHAPTER ELEVEN
Aisha stared at her mother, waiting for an answer.
"What happened six years ago, Mum? And why does this letter sound like someone has been watching us?"
Grace sat on the edge of the sofa, clutching the envelope. Her hands trembled slightly, and for the first time, Aisha saw genuine fear in her mother's eyes.
"Robert Cole was once Richard's business partner," Grace began. "He was a dangerous man who wanted everything Richard had. When Richard and I were together, Robert believed I was standing in the way of his plans."
"In what way?"
"He accused me of giving Richard confidential business information. I denied it, but Robert had documents that made it look as though I had betrayed Richard."
Aisha frowned. "Were the documents real?"
"No. I never betrayed Richard. But by the time I could prove my innocence, the damage had already been done."
"Then why didn't you tell anyone the truth?"
"Because Robert threatened me. He said if I continued fighting him, he would destroy my life and everyone connected to me."
Grace paused, her eyes filling with tears.
"I was pregnant with you, Aisha. I couldn't take that risk. I chose to walk away and raise you in peace."
Aisha felt her chest tighten. "And you never thought I deserved to know?"
"I thought I was protecting you."
"By lying to me?"
Grace lowered her head.
Aisha stood and walked towards the window, struggling to process everything. Her mother had carried this secret for years, and now someone was threatening them because of it.
"Who sent this letter?" she asked.
"I don't know."
"Do you think it's Robert?"
Grace looked at the envelope again.
"I prayed I would never hear that name again."
Aisha turned around. "Well, we have heard it now. And I'm not going to sit quietly while someone threatens my family."
"Aisha, please. You don't understand how dangerous this could become."
"Then help me understand."
Grace opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Aisha's phone rang.
It was Daniel.
She answered immediately.
"Aisha, are you okay?" he asked.
"How did you know something was wrong?"
"I've been trying to reach you. I had a strange conversation with my father, and I think something is happening."
Aisha glanced at the threatening letter.
"Daniel, I think we need to talk. It's about Robert Cole."
There was a long silence.
Then Daniel spoke quietly.
"Meet me tomorrow. I think it's time we found out what our families have been hiding."
Aisha ended the call and looked at her mother.
For six years, she had believed her greatest heartbreak was losing Daniel.
Now she was beginning to understand that their story was only a small part of a much bigger secret.