Chapter 3: The Portrait That Told the Truth
Chapter 3: The Portrait That Told the Truth
Mr. Hawthorne rushed toward Lily.
His eyes filled with tears.
"I'm your father."
Lily clutched the torn family photograph tighter.
"The woman in red said my daddy died."
The room gasped.
"What else did she tell you?" the old man whispered.
Lily looked down.
"She said my name wasn't Lily anymore."
"She called me Grace."
"And she said if I ever told anyone who I really was..."
"...you would all die."
The elderly housekeeper, who had served the family for nearly forty years, suddenly stepped forward.
"I can't stay silent anymore."
Her trembling hands pointed toward the enormous portrait hanging above the fireplace.
"Take it down."
Confused servants removed the massive painting.
Behind it...
Hidden inside the wall...
Was a small steel safe.
Inside the safe were dozens of letters.
Every one addressed to Mr. Hawthorne.
Every one written by Lily over the years.
None had ever been delivered.
The final letter read:
Daddy...
I'm still in the house.
May you like
Please don't stop looking for me.
Mr. Hawthorne collapsed into tears.
