Echoes

Chapter 33

Charlie took a deep breath, preparing himself for what he was about to say. "Emily, there's something you need to understand about your past. It's not easy to hear, but you need to know the truth."

Emily's expression turned serious. "What are you talking about?"

Charlie glanced at her, his eyes full of regret. "I've told you that there's a reason I've been trying to protect you. It's not just about the danger from your father, but from something much deeper."

Emily frowned. "Why do you keep saying that? Why do you keep talking about protecting me from my father?"

Charlie began, choosing his words carefully. "Years ago, before you were born, there was a man named Antonio Mancini. He was deeply involved in the cartel's operations. When his daughter was born, he decided to pull away from the cartel to give her a different life, away from all of that."

Emily listened intently, trying to connect the pieces. "So, what happened to him?"

Charlie continued, his voice heavy. "The cartel didn't take kindly to his departure. They saw it as a betrayal and wanted to make sure he paid for it. They wanted him to suffer for trying to leave their control."

Emily's heart raced. "What did they do?"

Charlie's face grew somber. "They took extreme measures. They needed a way to hurt him deeply, so they took his daughter as a form of punishment. They planned to make him believe she was lost forever."

Emily's eyes widened in shock. "Are you saying..."

Charlie nodded slowly. "Yes. William Heins, the man who raised you, was part of that plan. He was given you by the cartel as a way to hurt Antonio. They made it look like you were dead to him, but in reality, you were taken and given to William."

Emily's voice trembled. "So, William Heins isn't really my father?"

Charlie's eyes were full of sorrow. "That's right. William took you in under false pretenses. He was part of the cartel's scheme to punish Antonio. He may have raised you, but it was never out of love—it was part of the cartel's manipulation."

Emily felt a wave of confusion and betrayal. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

Charlie reached out, his hand gently touching her arm. "I know it's hard to believe, but I've uncovered the details of this operation. I've been trying to protect you from the dangers that come with this knowledge. I need you to trust me on this."

Emily struggled to grasp the gravity of what she was hearing. The life she had known seemed to crumble before her eyes, leaving her in turmoil over her true identity and the secrets that had been kept from her.
"I need to go home," Emily says to Charlie as she gets up and grabs her things.

"It's the middle of the night, Emily," Charlie says, his concern evident. "Your emotions are heightened, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"I need to see Sean. I need to talk to him," she insists, tears streaming down her face.

Charlie reaches out, trying to calm her. "Please, Emily, just stay here tonight."

Emily shakes her head, her resolve firm. "The cabin is paid up for the week. After that, I never want to see you again."

Without waiting for a response, she walks out of the cabin, leaving Charlie behind in the silence of the night.