Chapter 22 - THE BOTTLE
The bottle was found inside the old lake house.
A simple glass bottle.
Nothing remarkable.
But beneath the cork was a tiny rolled document.
Rachel opened it.
A list of names.
Children.
Guardians.
Doctors.
Payments.
At the bottom was one sentence:
THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT IS UNDER THE HOUSE.
Claire stared at it.
“What house?”
Rachel knew immediately.
“Mine.”
Ethan frowned.
“Our house?”
Rachel nodded.
“The house I grew up in.”
They returned that evening.
The basement was searched.
Nothing.
Then Lily walked to the fireplace.
“Mom.”
Rachel turned.
Lily pointed to a brick.
“This one sounds different.”
They removed it.
Behind it was a metal box.
Inside:
A birth certificate.
Three photographs.
And a letter.
The letter was from Thomas.
Rachel unfolded it.
My daughter,
If you ever find this, Marlene has already lost control.
May you like
But I haven't.
The real truth is beneath the floor.
