Chapter 3 - Henry Remembers the Missing Envelope
Henry explained that Margaret had owned hundreds of antiques.
Most had clear provenance.
The music box did not.
Years earlier, Henry asked where it came from.
Margaret became uncomfortable.
She said it had been “left behind.”
Nothing more.
But Henry remembered an envelope tucked beneath the inner lining.
He never opened it.
He assumed it belonged to the object.
After Margaret died, the envelope disappeared.
Victoria claimed she knew nothing about it.
Sarah looked at the damaged box.
Oliver crouched beside her.
“Mom, there’s paper in there.”
He pointed toward the cracked wooden base.
A narrow corner of yellowed paper was visible beneath the mechanism.
Henry carefully lifted the loose panel.
Inside was a folded envelope.
On the front:
For Evelyn Carter or her daughter.
Sarah stopped breathing.
Victoria moved toward it.
Sarah reached first.
The envelope was sealed.
Richard’s expression changed.
“What is that?”
May you like
Sarah looked at him.
“I think your family already knows.”
