Chapter 2 - the family that changed overnight
The birthday room had been transformed into a pastel-colored fantasy.
Pink and lavender balloons covered the ceiling. Golden stars hung from strings of warm lights. A dessert table stretched across one wall, filled with cupcakes, sparkling candy, and a three-tiered cake topped with a silver unicorn.
Children ran between the tables wearing paper crowns.
Harper’s face brightened.
For a few minutes, Claire allowed herself to believe the afternoon might remain peaceful.
Then the relatives began arriving.
They approached Harper with expensive gifts and unfamiliar smiles.
Most had ignored her existence until the DNA results became public.
Aunt Lydia gave Harper a diamond pendant too valuable for a child.
Cousin Thomas presented her with a miniature electric car.
An elderly uncle handed Claire a business card and whispered, “Call me before you sign anything Margaret gives you.”
Before Claire could question him, Margaret appeared.
“Uncle Edwin, the champagne is on the terrace.”
Edwin walked away without another word.
Claire slipped the card into her pocket.
Nolan arrived twenty minutes later in his paramedic uniform.
He had expected to finish his shift before the party, but an emergency had delayed him. Harper ran across the room and threw her arms around his waist.
“You came!”
“I promised.”
“You’re still dressed for work.”
“That means I can arrest anyone who eats your cake before you.”
“Paramedics don’t arrest people.”
“Then I’ll be forced to use strong disappointment.”
Harper giggled.
Claire hugged her brother.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Nolan lowered his voice.
“You look like you’re attending a trial.”
“Maybe I am.”
He followed her gaze toward Margaret.
Margaret stood beside a photographer, carefully positioning relatives around a gold chair. Sabrina hovered near the gift table, watching Harper instead of speaking to the guests.
Nolan noticed.
“What has she done?”
“Nothing yet.”
“Comforting.”
Claire told him about Uncle Edwin’s warning.
Nolan’s expression sharpened.
“Have you signed anything since the DNA confirmation?”
“No.”
“Has Margaret asked?”
“Three times. She called it a family protection agreement.”
“Do not sign it.”
“I wasn’t planning to.”
Across the room, Sabrina clapped her hands.
“Children, it’s time for the treasure hunt.”
Several young guests cheered.
She handed each child a colored envelope. Harper’s envelope was purple.
Claire opened it before Harper could.
Inside was a card reading:
Find the room where Andrew kept his greatest secret.
Claire turned toward Sabrina.
“What does this mean?”
Sabrina smiled.
“It’s part of the game. Every clue is based on family history.”
“She’s seven.”
“And curious.”
Margaret approached, holding a glass of water.
“Andrew loved puzzles. I thought Harper should learn something about her father.”
Harper tugged Claire’s hand.
“Can we play?”
Claire wanted to refuse.
But Harper’s hopeful expression stopped her.
“You stay where I can see you.”
Harper joined the other children.
The first clue led them into the library. The second sent them toward the music room. The third directed them upstairs to a hallway lined with family portraits.
Harper stopped beneath Andrew’s photograph.
He was nineteen in the picture, wearing a dark suit and standing beside Margaret.
His smile looked restrained.
Harper touched the frame.
“He looks sad.”
Claire crouched beside her.
“He didn’t like formal photographs.”
“What was his greatest secret?”
Claire glanced at Sabrina, who stood near the end of the hallway.
“You were.”
Harper smiled.
Then one of the children shouted from an open bedroom.
“I found the next clue!”
Everyone rushed inside.
For less than ten seconds, Claire’s view of Harper was blocked.
When the children moved again, Harper was standing beside a vanity mirror.
Her purple envelope was gone.
So was the silver bracelet from her wrist.
Claire reached for her hand.
“Harper, where is your bracelet?”
Harper looked down.
“I don’t know.”
Sabrina appeared in the doorway.
“What’s wrong?”
“Her medical bracelet is missing.”
Sabrina’s eyes widened with carefully measured concern.
“That sounds irresponsible.”
Claire stared at her.
“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
Margaret stepped into the room.
“Everyone remain calm. It must have fallen somewhere.”
“It was secured.”
“Then perhaps Harper removed it.”
“I didn’t,” Harper said.
Margaret ignored her.
Claire searched beneath the vanity, inside the hallway, and around Andrew’s portrait.
Nothing.
Nolan joined them.
“What happened?”
Claire explained.
He immediately checked Harper’s wrist, then looked at the other children.
“Did anyone see someone touch her bracelet?”
The children shook their heads.
One little boy pointed toward Sabrina.
“She gave Harper a new clue.”
Sabrina’s smile vanished.
“That has nothing to do with the bracelet.”
Claire held out her hand.
“What clue?”
Sabrina produced a folded card from her pocket.
“It was only another part of the game.”
Claire opened it.
The card contained no treasure hunt instruction.
It contained a handwritten sentence.
Your mother is hiding what your father left you.
Harper read it over Claire’s arm.
“What did Dad leave me?”
Claire looked at Sabrina.
But Sabrina was no longer watching her.
She was staring past Claire at the man in the dark suit.
May you like
He stood at the end of the hallway with Andrew’s folder under his arm.
When he realized Claire had seen him, he turned and disappeared down the staircase.
