Chapter 21 - A Mysterious Shadow Lingers Outside The New Front Door
Late that night, after all the guests had gone home and Ellie was sleeping soundly in her pink-painted bedroom, the house grew quiet.
Nathan sat alone at the kitchen island, reviewing final legal documents confirming the complete dissolution of the Moretti trust.
Suddenly, a soft rustling sound echoed from the front porch, followed by the faint click of the brass mailbox slot opening.
Nathan stood up instantly, walking silently down the dark hallway to the front entryway with his senses on high alert.
He flipped on the exterior porch light and peered through the small glass peephole into the cool night air.
There was no car in the driveway and no person standing on the welcome mat beneath the warm glow of the lamp.
Resting on the wooden porch floor was a plain black envelope sealed with an unfamiliar crimson wax stamp.
Nathan opened the heavy front door, picked up the mysterious envelope with a gloved hand, and sliced open the wax seal.
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Inside lay a single photograph of Ellie playing happily in the backyard earlier that afternoon, alongside a handwritten note:
“You thought cutting off your family solved your problems, Nathan... the underground debt was never yours to dismiss. We are coming to collect our share next.”
