CHAPTER 1 The Secret Beneath the Funeral House
CHAPTER 1 The Secret Beneath the Funeral House
The rain began before sunrise.
It covered the Vale estate in a cold silver curtain, hiding the endless rows of black vehicles parked outside the mansion gates.
For the world watching from outside, it was supposed to be a funeral.
A tragic goodbye.
A wealthy family mourning the sudden death of Rosalie Vale.
But inside the grand estate, nothing felt like a farewell anymore.
It felt like the beginning of a war.
Theodore Vale sat beside the hospital bed, refusing to move.
For nearly twelve hours, he had watched machines breathe for his sister.
The room was dark except for the soft glow from the monitors.
Rosalie looked fragile beneath the white blanket.
But she was alive.
That single fact was enough to keep Theodore awake.
A doctor entered quietly.
“Mr. Vale.”
Theodore immediately stood.
“Is she awake?”
The doctor hesitated.
“Not yet.”
Theodore looked back at Rosalie.
“But she heard me.”
The doctor nodded.
“That is possible.”
“She said my name.”
The doctor lowered his eyes.
“Yes.”
For the first time since the coffin was opened, Theodore allowed himself to breathe.
But the relief lasted only seconds.
Because another thought entered his mind.
Someone had prepared Rosalie’s funeral.
Someone had dressed her.
Someone had placed her inside that coffin.
Someone had told the entire family she was dead.
Theodore slowly turned toward the window.
“Who did this?”
The doctor remained silent.
That silence frightened him more than any answer.
Across town, Sebastian Vale stood inside his private office.
The room was filled with expensive paintings, antique furniture, and shelves of family history.
Everything represented power.
Everything represented control.
Except tonight.
Tonight, Sebastian looked like a man who had lost both.
Eleanor Vale stood near the fireplace.
Her face remained calm.
Too calm.
“You need to control Theodore,” she said.
Sebastian looked at her.
“Control him?”
“Yes.”
“He saved Rosalie’s life.”
“And he destroyed our family’s reputation in the process.”
Sebastian’s eyes narrowed.
“Reputation?”
Eleanor walked closer.
“You know what happens when the media discovers a Vale funeral ended with a woman being rescued from her own coffin.”
Sebastian looked away.
“That is not the most important thing.”
Eleanor studied him carefully.
“No.”
Her voice became softer.
“The most important thing is that someone wanted Rosalie buried alive.”
The room became silent.
Sebastian slowly turned back.
“You believe that?”
Eleanor did not answer immediately.
Then she opened her handbag.
Inside was a small envelope.
Sebastian recognized the handwriting immediately.
Rosalie’s handwriting.
His expression changed.
“Where did you get that?”
“It was found in Rosalie’s bedroom.”
“When?”
“Before the funeral.”
Sebastian stared at her.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I needed to know if you were involved.”
The accusation hung between them.
Sebastian’s jaw tightened.
“You think I tried to kill my own sister?”
“I think someone in this family knows more than they are saying.”
At the hospital, Theodore noticed something strange.
Rosalie’s silver locket was missing.
He remembered it clearly.
It had been around her neck when he opened the coffin.
But now it was gone.
He called the nurse.
“Excuse me.”
The nurse entered.
“Yes?”
“Where is my sister’s necklace?”
The nurse looked confused.
“What necklace?”
“The silver locket she was wearing.”
The nurse checked the medical notes.
“There was no jewelry recorded.”
Theodore froze.
“That’s impossible.”
The nurse looked uncomfortable.
“Mr. Vale, when your sister arrived, she only had the clothing on her body.”
Theodore stepped backward.
No.
That was impossible.
He had seen the locket.
Everyone had.
Except now, officially, it never existed.
Someone had removed it.
Someone had hidden it.
And whatever was inside that locket was important enough to erase.
Later that night, Rosalie finally opened her eyes.
Theodore was asleep in the chair beside her.
She whispered his name.
“Theo…”
His eyes opened instantly.
“Rosalie?”
Her lips trembled.
She tried to speak.
But the words came out weak.
“Don’t trust…”
Theodore leaned closer.
“Don’t trust who?”
Rosalie’s eyes filled with fear.
Before she could answer, the hospital lights suddenly flickered.
The room went dark.
A shadow moved outside the glass door.
Theodore stood immediately.
“Who’s there?”
No answer.
The door slowly opened.
A man stepped inside.
Theodore recognized him.
Sebastian Vale.
But something was different.
For the first time in Theodore’s life…
Sebastian looked afraid.
“Theodore,” Sebastian said quietly.
“We need to talk.”
Theodore moved in front of Rosalie.
“No.”
Sebastian stopped.
“The person who did this to your sister is still out there.”
Theodore stared at him.
“And why should I believe you?”
Sebastian looked toward Rosalie.
Because his next words changed everything.
May you like
“Because I think they tried to kill me too.”
TO BE CONTINUED…
