The Flower That Grew from Ashes novel Chapter 40

The dark screen of the phone felt like a heavy curtain, aggressively suffocating Annelise's last sliver of hope.

She clutched the burner phone, but the heat from her palm couldn't warm the cold plastic casing.

No reply.

The mysterious person who had helped her from the shadows time and time again had, for the first time, chosen silence.

Annelise slowly slid the phone back under the mattress, every movement as sluggish as a slow-motion film.

The room was dead silent. She could clearly hear the steady, powerful rhythm of her own heart beating against her ribs.

She walked over to the window, staring at the rain-washed courtyard outside, her own reflection blurred against the glass.

She couldn't wait any longer.

She couldn't pin all her hopes on a total stranger whose identity she didn't even know.

She had to find the answers herself.

Hackett's study.

The anonymous informant had warned her that the safe's passcode had been changed.

But the safe wasn't the only thing Annelise was after.

She was looking for anything the man might have left behind in his personal sanctuary.

A medical file, a prescription pad, an email, or even a forgotten call log.

Any single thread could become the straw that broke the camel's back.

"Harriet," Annelise said, turning to the woman who was tidying up the room.

"Starting tomorrow, I need you to keep track of exactly when Hackett is at the estate."

Harriet paused her work, confusion crossing her face.

"Miss, what are you..."

"I'm going into his study." Annelise's voice was soft, but it carried the absolute weight of a command.

Harriet's face fell. She rushed over, lowering her voice frantically. "Miss, that's too dangerous! If you get caught..."

"That's why I need a time window when he absolutely won't be here," Annelise cut her off.

"You just need to find me that window."

Looking into the icy determination in Annelise's eyes, Harriet knew there was no talking her out of it.

She let out a heavy sigh and gave a firm nod.

For the next three days, the Lehman Estate was as still as stagnant water.

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