The Secret Heiress Next Door
Chapter 3
Cracks in the Truth
The words hung heavily in the air.
"Miss Morgan."
Lila's heart pounded so loudly she was sure Ethan could hear it.
The driver stood respectfully beside the car, waiting patiently as if nothing unusual had happened. But to Lila, everything had just changed.
Ethan looked from the driver to Lila, confusion written across his face.
"Lila," he said slowly, "what's going on?"
She forced a small laugh, hoping it sounded natural.
"Oh... that?" she said lightly. "He works for a family friend."
The lie slipped out easier than she expected.
But Ethan didn't look convinced.
"A family friend?" he repeated.
"Yes," she said quickly. "My parents asked him to check on me sometimes."
The driver, clearly sensing the situation, nodded politely.
"Your grandfather asked me to deliver some documents, Miss" he stopped himself quickly and corrected, "Lila."
Lila silently thanked him.
Ethan crossed his arms, studying her.
"You never mentioned your family had a driver."
"Well," she said with a shrug, "they're a little... overprotective."
That part, at least, was true.
Her grandfather had been trying to convince her to return home for months.
But Lila had refused.
She wanted a life that belonged to her, not the one planned by Morgan Industries.
Ethan's gaze softened slightly.
"Parents can be like that," he said.
Relief washed over her.
Maybe he believed her.
The driver opened the back door of the car.
"Just a moment, Miss Lila."
She walked over quickly, her heart still racing.
"What are you doing here?" she whispered urgently.
"Your grandfather asked me to bring this," the driver said, handing her a sealed envelope.
Her stomach tightened.
She already knew what it was.
Another letter asking her to come home.
"Is he still insisting?" she asked quietly.
"Yes, Miss."
She sighed.
"Thank you. I'll read it later."
The driver nodded and returned to the car before driving away.
When Lila turned around, Ethan was watching her.
Not suspicious.
But curious.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
"Yes," she said, forcing a smile.
He nodded slowly.
"Your family must really care about you."
"They do," she said softly.
Maybe too much.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
The evening breeze brushed gently through the trees lining the street.
Ethan stepped a little closer.
"You know," he said, "for someone who says she lives a normal life, you have some pretty unusual visitors."
Lila felt her pulse quicken again.
"Are you interrogating me now?" she asked playfully.
"Maybe," he said with a grin.
She laughed, trying to ease the tension.
"Well, detective, there's nothing mysterious about me."
Ethan tilted his head.
"I'm not so sure about that."
Her breath caught slightly.
There was something in his voice, something curious, but not accusing.
"You're interesting," he continued.
"Interesting?" she repeated.
"Yes. You're smart, kind... and you hide things."
Lila looked away.
"That sounds like everyone."
"Maybe," he said quietly.
"But not everyone looks at the world the way you do."
She glanced back at him.
"And how do I look at the world?"
"Like you're searching for something."
The words hit deeper than she expected.
Because he wasn't entirely wrong.
Before she could respond, her phone buzzed in her hand.
She glanced down.
A message from her grandfather's assistant.
"Miss Morgan, the board meeting is tomorrow. Your presence is required."
Her chest tightened.
Required.
Not requested.
Required.
She locked the phone quickly.
Ethan noticed.
"Bad news?"
"Just... school stuff," she said.
He didn't push further.
Instead, he smiled gently.
"Well, I should probably let you get back to your mysterious life."
She laughed softly.
"You make it sound like I'm hiding a secret identity."
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't you?"
Her heart skipped.
For a second, she wondered if he somehow knew the truth.
But then he smiled.
"I'm kidding."
Lila exhaled quietly.
"Good."
He took a step backward toward the sidewalk.
"So... dinner tomorrow is still happening?"
She hesitated.
With the board meeting tomorrow, things could get complicated.
But looking at Ethan, she realized she didn't want to cancel.
"Yes," she said.
His smile returned immediately.
"Great."
He turned to walk away, then paused.
"Oh, one more thing."
"What?"
"If another mysterious driver shows up," he said, grinning, "I'm definitely asking more questions."
She laughed.
"I'll keep that in mind."
He waved before heading down the street.
Lila watched him disappear around the corner.
Only when he was gone did she open the envelope in her hand.
Inside was a single letter.
Her grandfather's handwriting was unmistakable.
"Lila,
You cannot hide forever. Morgan Industries needs you.
Return tomorrow.
Grandfather"
Her hands trembled slightly.
Tomorrow.
The board meeting.
If she went, the entire business world would see her again.
And if Ethan ever saw the news...
He would know the truth.
The quiet girl from the small apartment next door...
Was actually one of the richest heirs in the country.
Lila folded the letter slowly.
"Just one more day," she whispered to herself.
One more day of being normal.
One more day of being just Lila.
But across the street, someone else had been watching the entire scene.
A woman stood beside a black sedan, her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses.
In her hand was a phone.
On the screen was a photo she had just taken.
A photo of Lila and Ethan standing together.
The woman smirked.
"So the missing Morgan heiress has been hiding here."
She tapped her phone, sending the photo to someone.
A reply came seconds later.
"Confirm her identity."
The woman looked up toward Lila's apartment building.
"Oh, I will," she murmured.
"Very soon."
And when the truth came out...
Lila Morgan's quiet life would be over.
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