Chapter 14: The House With the Blue Windows
The house stood at the end of a narrow private road.
Its windows were painted a faded blue.
I had seen the property once as a child, but my father had never allowed me inside.
Tonight, the front door was open.
Isabella sat beside me in the car.
Detective Harris had arranged for officers to remain nearby, out of sight.
"Dominic," she whispered, "I don't like this.""
"Neither do I.""
"Your mother could be dangerous.""
I reached for her hand.
"She won't get near our daughters again.""
Isabella squeezed my fingers.
Then we stepped out.
The house smelled of old wood and lavender.
A lamp burned in the hallway.
On the wall hung photographs of my father.
Some showed him with Victoria.
Others showed him with Margaret.
And one showed him holding a little girl with dark curls.
Sophia.
I picked up the frame.
On the back was a handwritten note.
To my granddaughter. One day, you'll know who you are.
I heard footsteps upstairs.
Then a familiar voice.
"Dominic.""
My mother appeared at the top of the staircase.
She wore a black dress and held a small bundle wrapped in a white blanket.
I froze.
"What's that?""
Victoria descended slowly.
"A child.""
My heart began pounding.
"Is that the fourth baby?""
She looked at Isabella.
"You're not supposed to be here.""
Isabella stepped forward.
"Give her to me.""
Victoria tightened her arms around the bundle.
"Don't come closer.""
I stared at the little blanket.
A tiny hand emerged.
My chest tightened.
"Mom, is that my daughter?""
Victoria looked at me.
Then she began crying.
"Your father wanted this child protected.""
"From whom?""
"From the family.""
I laughed bitterly.
"You are the family!""
Victoria shook her head.
"Not anymore.""
She reached the bottom of the staircase.
The baby began making small noises.
Isabella moved closer.
"What's her name?""
My mother hesitated.
"Clara.""
I felt my throat tighten.
Claire's daughter.
My father's granddaughter.
My niece.
And apparently, the controlling beneficiary of his entire foundation.
"Where is Sophia?"" I asked.
Victoria looked toward the kitchen.
"Safe.""
"Bring her here.""
"Not until you listen.""
I stared at her.
"What else could you possibly tell me?""
Victoria lowered herself onto a chair.
"Your father knew he was dying. He had discovered that Richard and Arthur were stealing from the foundation. He also knew I had been involved.""
I remained standing.
"How long?""
"Years.""
"Why?""
"Because I was afraid of losing everything.""
She looked down at the baby.
"When Claire became pregnant, your father wanted to protect her child. He knew Richard would try to take control of the foundation if he discovered the baby existed.""
"Why would Richard care?""
"Because he had been promised control of the company.""
I shook my head.
"And you helped him.""
Victoria nodded.
"I thought I could manage the situation. I believed Richard would leave the children alone once he received what he wanted.""
Isabella's voice was cold.
"So you helped him steal Emma.""
Victoria looked at her.
"I never wanted Emma hurt.""
"Then why did you keep me away from her?""
"Because you found the financial records.""
"And Maisie and Rosie?""
"I didn't want them involved.""
I stepped closer.
"You separated three newborns from their mother. You falsified records. You let me believe my wife was dead.""
Victoria began sobbing.
"I know.""
"Then why?""
She looked up.
"Because Richard threatened to expose something about your father.""
"What?""
Victoria's voice trembled.
"He didn't just have children outside our marriage. He had used the foundation to finance their lives for years. If the board discovered the payments, the company would collapse.""
I looked toward the photograph of Sophia.
"And the fourth baby?""
"Your father left everything to her because he believed she was the only child Richard couldn't manipulate.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
Victoria looked at the baby.
"Because Claire had already discovered the truth.""
A door opened behind us.
A little girl stepped into the hallway.
Sophia.
She was holding a small backpack.
When she saw me, she stopped.
"Are you Dominic?""
I knelt.
"Yes.""
She looked at Isabella.
"Are you the lady from the photographs?""
Isabella smiled through her tears.
"I'm Isabella.""
Sophia slowly approached.
"Grandma said you were dangerous.""
Isabella shook her head.
"She was wrong.""
Sophia looked toward Victoria.
"Can I tell them now?""
My mother closed her eyes.
"Yes, sweetheart.""
Sophia opened her backpack and removed a small tablet.
She handed it to me.
"Mommy Claire told me to give this to you if Grandma ever tried to hide the baby.""
I stared at her.
"Where is your mother?""
Sophia's eyes filled with tears.
"She's gone.""
Isabella knelt beside her.
"What do you mean?""
"She disappeared after the baby was born.""
My heart sank.
I opened the tablet.
A video appeared.
A young woman sat in front of the camera, holding a newborn.
She looked exhausted.
But she smiled.
"My name is Claire Caruso. If you're watching this, my daughter is probably in danger.""
I looked at Victoria.
She was trembling.
The video continued.
"Dominic, if you ever find this recording, please know that your father didn't leave the foundation to Clara because of the money.""
Claire held the baby closer.
"He left it to her because she has the same rare blood condition that killed him.""
Isabella gasped.
I stared at the screen.
Claire continued.
"Your father believed the research foundation could save her life. But Richard has been trying to destroy the treatment program because he wants to sell the patents.""
Then she looked directly into the camera.
"There's one more thing. The person who took me away wasn't Richard.""
She paused.
Then whispered:
"It was my own mother.""
The video ended.
I slowly turned toward Victoria.
"Where is Claire?""
My mother couldn't answer.
Then a voice came from the front doorway.
"She's dead, Dominic.""
I turned.
Richard Hale stood there.
His suit was soaked from the rain.
He held a folder in one hand.
And in the other, he held a photograph of Claire.
"Now," he said calmly, "we can finally finish what your father started.""
Detective Harris stepped into the doorway behind him.
"Richard Hale, don't move!""
Richard smiled.
Then he looked at Victoria.
"Tell him what happened to Claire.""
My mother covered her face.
Richard continued.
"Go ahead, Victoria. Tell your son who ordered the accident.""
The room went silent.
May you like
And my mother whispered:
"I did.""
