“Dad, please don't call anyone.”
Emma sat at the kitchen island with both hands pressed against her cheek, tears running silently down her face.
Her father, Daniel Brooks, stood across from her in disbelief.
“Who did this to you?”
Emma shook her head.
“Nobody.”
“Emma, look at me.”
She slowly raised her eyes.
“I said nobody.”
Daniel's voice became quieter.
“Then why are you crying?”
Emma looked toward the kitchen window.
“I made a mistake.”
Daniel pulled out the chair beside her and sat down.
“Whatever happened, you can tell me.”
“You won't understand.”
“Try me.”
Emma opened her mouth, but her phone suddenly buzzed on the counter.
She looked at the screen.
Her face immediately turned pale.
Daniel noticed.
“Who is that?”
“Nobody.”
“Emma.”
She grabbed the phone.
“It's just a wrong number.”
Daniel reached for it.
“Give me the phone.”
Emma pulled it away.
“No!”
Daniel froze.
His daughter had never spoken to him like that.
“Why are you protecting this person?”
Emma started crying harder.
“Because if you find out, you'll hate me.”
Daniel stared at her.
“There is nothing you could do that would make me hate you.”
Before Emma could answer, Daniel's own phone rang.
The number was unknown.
He answered.
“Hello?”
A man's voice came through the speaker.
“Mr. Brooks, you need to come to the old Franklin warehouse.”
Daniel stood.
“Who is this?”
“Someone who knows what your daughter has been hiding.”
Daniel's face changed.
“What did you say?”
“Come alone.”
The call ended.
Emma was staring at him.
“Dad, don't go.”
Daniel looked at her.
“You know that place?”
Emma said nothing.
“Emma, do you know the Franklin warehouse?”
She finally whispered.
“Yes.”
Daniel's stomach tightened.
“Why?”
Emma wiped her tears.
“Because I've been there.”
“With who?”
She looked down.
“I can't tell you.”
Daniel grabbed his keys.
“Then I'll find out myself.”
Emma stood suddenly.
“Dad, please!”
“Stay here.”
“Don't go there!”
Daniel stopped at the door.
“Why?”
Emma's voice broke.
“Because someone is waiting for you.”
Daniel looked back at her.
“Who?”
Emma shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Daniel walked outside.
He got into his black SUV and drove away.
But as he disappeared down the street, Emma grabbed her phone and made another call.
“He's going there.”
She listened.
Then her eyes filled with tears.
“I couldn't stop him.”
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