Chapter 14 - The Door Opens
Cynthia stood outside the mansion.
Madison was beside her.
Daniel was nowhere to be seen.
Natalie watched them through the glass.
Cynthia shouted,
“Open the door.”
Natalie remained silent.
“You don't understand what you're doing.”
Natalie laughed.
“I understand more than I did three days ago.”
Cynthia's face tightened.
“Give me the documents.”
“No.”
“You have no idea what they mean.”
“I know they belong to me.”
Cynthia stared at her.
Then something unexpected happened.
Madison stepped forward.
“Mom.”
Cynthia turned.
“Not now.”
“You lied to me.”
Cynthia froze.
Madison held up the folder she had found in the office.
“You said Natalie was trying to steal from us.”
Natalie watched silently.
Madison continued,
“But this says the house belonged to her.”
Cynthia's expression changed.
“Give me that.”
“No.”
For the first time, Madison looked frightened.
“What happened to Grandma?”
Cynthia said nothing.
Natalie opened the door.
Madison stepped back.
“You should have told me.”
Natalie looked at her.
“I didn't know either.”
Cynthia suddenly laughed.
“You think you've won?”
Natalie stared at her.
“I don't know.”
“Good.”
Cynthia's smile returned.
“Because you haven't.”
She reached into her purse.
Natalie's expression changed.
“What is that?”
Cynthia held up an old photograph.
It showed Natalie as a child.
Beside her stood Evelyn.
And behind them stood a man.
Natalie recognized him.
The same man from every photograph.
The man Richard said was dead.
Cynthia smiled.
“You've been looking for the wrong person.”
Natalie felt her blood run cold.
“Who is he?”
Cynthia whispered,
“Ask your grandmother.”
Then she turned around.
Before leaving, she said one final thing.
“Your father is not missing.”
Natalie stepped forward.
“Where is he?”
Cynthia looked over her shoulder.
“He's with your mother.”
Then she walked away.
Natalie stood in the doorway.
Madison remained behind.
She looked at Natalie.
“I think my mother is scared of you.”
Natalie watched the SUV disappear.
Then she closed the door.
May you like
She knew what she had to do.
Open the final document.
