CHAPTER EIGHT
Aisha stared at the threatening message on her phone long after she had finished reading it.
Someone knew about her mother's past. Someone knew she had started asking questions about Richard Williams. And whoever that person was, they clearly didn't want her to discover the truth.
She wanted to tell her mother about the messages, but she already knew how Grace would react. She would become frightened, refuse to answer questions, and beg Aisha to leave everything alone.
For once, Aisha decided to investigate quietly.
The following morning, she called Daniel.
"I need to see you," she said as soon as he answered.
"Good morning to you too," he replied, trying to sound cheerful.
"Daniel, I'm serious."
His tone changed immediately. "What's wrong?"
"Someone has been sending me threatening messages because I'm asking questions about my mother and your father."
There was silence.
"What kind of threats?"
Aisha read the messages to him.
When she finished, Daniel swore under his breath.
"This isn't normal, Aisha. You shouldn't be dealing with this alone."
"That's why I'm calling you."
"Meet me this afternoon. We'll figure out what to do."
They agreed to meet at a quiet café in Victoria Island.
When Aisha arrived, Daniel was already waiting. He stood as she approached and pulled out a chair for her.
She sat down without smiling.
"Did you speak to your father?"
"Yes."
"And?"
Daniel looked frustrated. "He refused to explain anything. The moment I mentioned your mother's name, he became angry."
Aisha's stomach tightened.
"So he knows something."
"Definitely. I have never seen him react that way before."
She took out her phone and showed him the messages.
Daniel read them carefully.
"Have you told your mother?"
"No."
"Aisha, you should."
"She has spent my entire life avoiding questions about my father. I don't think she'll suddenly tell me everything because I show her these messages."
Daniel reached across the table, stopping just before touching her hand.
"Then we'll find another way."
She looked at him.
For a moment, she forgot that they were supposed to be strangers trying to rebuild their lives separately.
This was the Daniel she remembered—the boy who always stood beside her whenever she felt afraid.
She quickly looked away.
"Don't make promises you can't keep."
"I'm not promising that everything will be easy. I'm promising that I'll help you find the truth."
Before Aisha could respond, Daniel's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen and frowned.
"It's my mother. I need to take this."
He stepped outside.
Aisha remained at the table, trying to calm her thoughts. She watched Daniel through the café window as he answered the call.
His expression changed almost immediately.
He looked shocked, then angry.
When he returned, he sat down slowly.
"What happened?" Aisha asked.
"My mother wants us both at the house tonight."
"Why me?"
"She says she has something important to tell us."
Aisha studied his face.
"Does she know about the messages?"
"I don't think so. But she sounded frightened."
Aisha hesitated.
Part of her wanted to refuse. She had no desire to walk into a mansion filled with people who seemed determined to keep secrets from her.
But if Victoria Williams had answers, Aisha needed to hear them.
"Fine," she said. "I'll come."
That evening, Aisha stood outside the Williams mansion beside Daniel.
The building was just as impressive as she had imagined, with tall windows, carefully maintained gardens, and a wide staircase leading to the entrance.
Daniel noticed her nervous expression.
"You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
Aisha lifted her chin.
"I didn't come this far to turn back."
He gave her a small smile.
"That's the Aisha I remember."
She ignored the warmth his words stirred in her chest and followed him inside.
Victoria was waiting in the sitting room. She looked elegant as always, but tonight her face carried an unusual seriousness.
"Thank you for coming, Aisha."
Aisha sat opposite her.
"You said you had something to tell us."
Victoria glanced at Daniel before looking back at Aisha.
"I knew your mother many years ago."
"I know that. I found a photograph of her with your husband."
Victoria's face paled slightly.
"Then you've already discovered more than I expected."
"Why did you keep it a secret?"
Victoria clasped her hands together.
"Because your mother's relationship with Richard ended in a way that hurt several people. I thought it was better not to reopen old wounds."
"That isn't your decision to make."
Victoria lowered her eyes.
"You're right."
Aisha hadn't expected her to agree so easily.
Victoria continued, "There was a time when Richard loved your mother very deeply. His family opposed their relationship, and eventually, they separated. But the story didn't end there."
Daniel leaned forward.
"What do you mean, Mum?"
Victoria looked at her son.
"After they separated, something happened that changed the course of their lives. Richard received information that made him believe Grace had betrayed him."
Aisha's heart pounded.
"What information?"
Victoria hesitated.
"An accusation. Someone claimed that Grace had been involved with another man."
Aisha shook her head.
"My mother wouldn't deliberately hurt someone she loved."
"I never said she did."
"Then who made the accusation?"
Victoria opened her mouth, but before she could answer, footsteps sounded behind them.
Richard had entered the room.
His expression darkened when he saw Aisha.
"Victoria, what are you doing?"
Victoria stood.
"Richard, she deserves to know."
He looked at Aisha, then at Daniel.
"Everyone needs to leave this matter alone."
Aisha rose slowly.
"No. I've spent my entire life being told to stop asking questions. I'm done."
Richard's jaw tightened.
"You don't understand what you're getting yourself into."
"Then explain it to me."
For a moment, he looked as though he might finally speak.
Instead, he turned away.
"I can't."
Aisha felt anger rise inside her.
"Or you won't?"
Richard didn't answer.
She looked at Daniel, who seemed just as shocked as she was.
Then she turned back to Richard.
"Someone is threatening me because of your past. If you know anything about it, you need to tell me."
Richard's expression changed.
"What threats?"
Aisha showed him the messages.
He read them, and the colour slowly drained from his face.
"This is impossible," he whispered.
Daniel stepped closer.
"Dad, what is going on?"
Richard looked at the message again.
Then he said something that made everyone fall silent.
"The person who did this was supposed to be gone from our lives forever."
Aisha stared at him.
"Who?"
Richard looked up, his eyes filled with an emotion she couldn't identify.
"Robert Cole."
And for the first time, Aisha realized that the truth about her mother's past might be connected to something far more dangerous than a broken relationship.