Chapter 14 - The Last Person Claire Expected
Claire called Pamela.
No answer.
She searched the entire property.
Nothing.
Then Maria found a hidden door beneath the staircase.
Inside was a small room.
Pamela was there.
Alive.
She had been hiding.
Claire stared at her.
“You knew my father was alive.”
Pamela shook her head.
“I knew someone was.”
“That's not an answer.”
Pamela looked exhausted.
“Your father contacted me three years ago.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because he made me promise.”
Claire's anger rose.
“Everyone keeps making promises around me.”
Pamela lowered her eyes.
“He believed Richard's father would kill you if you knew.”
Claire turned toward Richard.
“And you?”
Richard looked at her.
“I believed the same thing.”
Claire shook her head.
“You lied to me for seven years.”
“Yes.”
“You manipulated my life.”
“Yes.”
“You watched my son suffer.”
Richard's voice broke.
“I thought keeping you alive was worth becoming the person you hated.”
Claire stared at him.
“Was it?”
Richard couldn't answer.
Then Mateo entered.
He carried the small amber bottle.
Everyone froze.
Claire looked at it.
“Where did you get that?”
Mateo said:
“Grandma gave it to me.”
Evelyn stood in the doorway.
“I did.”
Claire looked at her.
“Why?”
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
“Because I wanted you to know.”
She took the bottle.
“There is nothing inside that will make you sleep forever.”
Claire stared.
“Then what is it?”
Evelyn shook her head.
“I don't know.”
Richard looked confused.
“Mother.”
Evelyn handed the bottle to Claire.
“It was given to me by your father-in-law.”
Claire examined it.
A small symbol was engraved beneath the label.
The same symbol appeared on the trust documents.
Pamela saw it.
Her face went pale.
“That isn't a medication.”
“What is it?”
“A key.”
Claire frowned.
“To what?”
Pamela whispered:
“The original archive.”
Before anyone could respond, every light in the house went out.
A phone rang.
This time, it was Claire's.
Her father's voice came through.
“Claire, listen carefully.”
She held the phone to her ear.
“Dad?”
“You have the bottle.”
“Yes.”
“Do not open it.”
“Why?”
“Because what is inside will prove who betrayed you.”
Claire froze.
“Who?”
A long silence.
Then her father whispered:
“Someone you trust.”
The call ended.
Claire looked around the room.
Maria.
Pamela.
Evelyn.
Richard.
Mateo.
Everyone looked at everyone else.
Then the mansion's front doors slowly opened.
A man stepped inside.
Claire stared.
Her father.
May you like
Alive.
Standing in the foyer.
