Chapter 13 - The Man in the Photograph
Claire found Mike.
Not completely.
Not safely.
But she found him.
He was standing inside the old lakeside cabin.
Alive.
Older.
Exhausted.
His eyes filled with tears when he saw her.
“Claire.”
She couldn't move.
Then she ran to him.
He caught her.
For a moment, the world disappeared.
She held him as if she could make up for two years in one embrace.
“You're alive.”
“I know.”
“You left me.”
“I had no choice.”
“You always had a choice.”
Mike looked down.
“You were being watched.”
“By Harold?”
Mike shook his head.
“By someone much closer.”
Claire pulled away.
“Your brother said my mother was involved.”
Mike closed his eyes.
“I wanted to tell you.”
“Then tell me now.”
Mike hesitated.
“There are things about your family you don't remember.”
“What did they do?”
“Nothing you should blame yourself for.”
Claire's voice broke.
“Did you know my mother was alive?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Since before our wedding.”
Claire stepped backward.
Mike reached for her.
“Claire…”
She pulled away.
“You lied to me.”
“I lied to keep you alive.”
“Then why did you let me believe you were dead?”
“Because Harold believed it too.”
Claire froze.
“What?”
Mike explained.
Harold didn't know Mike had survived.
Nathan had helped create a false trail.
Daniel had protected Mike.
Elena had hidden the financial records.
But someone else had been controlling the operation.
Someone who had access to Claire.
Someone who knew about Mia.
Mike looked at her.
“Your mother.”
Claire's eyes filled with tears.
“My mother?”
Mike nodded.
“She wasn't protecting Harold.”
“Then who?”
Mike looked toward the window.
A car had stopped outside.
He whispered:
“She was protecting you.”
The car door opened.
A woman stepped out.
Claire knew the face.
She had seen it in the photographs.
Her mother.
Alive.
She walked toward the cabin.
Mike's expression changed.
“There's something you need to know.”
The cabin door opened.
The woman stepped inside.
She looked at Claire.
May you like
And said:
“You were never supposed to remember me.”
