Chapter 9 - ELEANOR’S CONFESSION
Eleanor sat at the dining table.
For the first time, she looked old.
Not powerful.
Not frightening.
Just tired.
Nora sat opposite her.
“Tell me everything.”
Eleanor stared at her hands.
“I lied to you.”
“I know.”
“I lied because Claire asked me to.”
Nora frowned.
“What?”
“She wanted you protected.”
“From whom?”
“Your father.”
“My father is dead.”
“His people aren't.”
Nora became silent.
Eleanor continued.
“Your father created the trust using money that wasn't entirely his.”
“Whose money?”
“Investors.”
“Then why did Claire inherit it?”
“Because she discovered the fraud.”
“And David?”
“David was her attorney.”
Nora looked stunned.
“He protected her.”
“Yes.”
“Then why did he disappear?”
“Because your father threatened him.”
“What happened to Claire?”
Eleanor's voice shook.
“She escaped.”
“Where?”
“I don't know.”
“You've been communicating with her.”
“No.”
Nora stared.
“You knew she was alive.”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“Twenty years.”
Nora's eyes filled with tears.
“You stole my sister from me.”
“No.”
“You let me grow up believing I was an only child.”
“I was trying to keep you alive.”
Nora stood.
“You don't get to decide that.”
Eleanor looked at her.
“You don't understand what happened when Claire tried to expose your father.”
“Then explain it.”
“Three people disappeared.”
Nora froze.
“Who?”
“Claire's investigator.”
“Who else?”
“David's assistant.”
“And?”
Eleanor looked toward the door.
“Your father.”
Nora whispered:
“My father disappeared?”
“Yes.”
“But I was told he died.”
“He did.”
“How?”
Eleanor looked away.
“I never found out.”
Nora suddenly understood.
The mystery wasn't just about Claire.
It wasn't just about the trust.
It was about a secret that had been buried for decades.
Then Eleanor said something that changed everything.
“Your father didn't create the trust for Claire.”
Nora frowned.
“Then why?”
May you like
Eleanor looked directly at her.
“He created it for you.”
