Sophie Kept Pointing Toward the Hallway — Then the Camera Showed a Woman Grandma Margaret Hadn’t Seen in 26 Years
Chapter 4 — Daniel Finally Remembers
Daniel arrived that evening.
He was forty-two now.
Married.
Two children.
A successful architect.
He smiled when Sophie hugged him.
Then he saw Margaret’s expression.
“What’s wrong?”
She placed the photograph on the table.
Daniel stopped smiling.
“Where did you get that?”
Emily folded her arms.
“Elaine.”
Daniel stared at her.
“Aunt Elaine?”
Margaret noticed the way he said the name.
Not confused.
Not surprised she existed.
“You’ve spoken to her?”
Daniel looked down.
That was enough.
Margaret stood.
“Daniel.”
He exhaled slowly.
“Three times.”
Emily stared.
“When?”
“Over the last year.”
Margaret’s voice shook.
“You knew where my sister was?”
“She found me online.”
“And you didn’t tell me?”
Daniel looked ashamed.
“She asked me not to.”
Margaret pointed toward the photograph.
“Then tell me about July 3.”
Daniel sat down.
He remembered going into Charles’s study.
His father had promised to show him several military letters for a school history project.
Daniel took one envelope.
Then another.
He intended to return them.
But later that day, something happened.
Charles collapsed.
The family rushed him to the hospital.
The letters remained in Daniel’s backpack.
“Then how did one end up in Elaine’s car?” Margaret asked.
Daniel looked toward her.
“Because I put it there.”
