Chapter 12: The Last Person He Expected To Return
The location was an old address outside the city.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Because the message didn’t feel like a threat.
It felt like a promise.
Mason stared at the phone.
“She can’t be there.””
Margaret looked at him.
“You know where she is?””
He immediately shook his head.
“No.””
Too fast.
Everyone noticed.
I noticed.
Olivia noticed.
Even Claire noticed.
Mason realized it too late.
“You just said something you shouldn’t know.””
His face tightened.
“I meant she can’t be alive.””
The room went cold.
Margaret whispered:
“You thought she was dead?””
Mason didn’t answer.
And somehow, that was worse.
Julian looked at him.
“You let your own family believe that?””
Mason ran a hand through his hair.
“This is getting out of control.””
I almost smiled.
Because that was what he always said when control was leaving him.
Not:
I’m sorry.
Not:
I hurt people.
Just:
This is getting out of control.
As if the problem was the consequences.
Not the choices.
The police officers entered the reception hall.
The room shifted.
Mason immediately straightened.
Professional Mason.
Calm Mason.
The man who knew how to perform.
One officer approached.
“Mr. Carter?””
“Yes?””
“We need to ask you some questions regarding the documents submitted tonight.””
Mason smiled politely.
“Of course.””
It was almost impressive.
Almost.
Even now, he was acting like this was a misunderstanding.
Like he could talk his way out.
Then the officer added:
“And we also need information regarding several identities connected to your previous business partnerships.””
Mason’s smile disappeared.
Because he knew.
The walls were closing in.
I walked outside.
I needed air.
The ocean wind hit my face.
For the first time all night, I was alone.
Almost.
A few moments later, Julian came outside.
“You okay?””
I looked at him.
That question felt strange.
Because hours earlier, he was a stranger pretending to be my boyfriend.
Now he was the person standing beside me while my entire past collapsed.
“I don’t know.””
He nodded.
“That makes sense.””
I looked at him.
“You knew something was wrong when you saw Mason.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Julian looked toward the water.
“Because I had seen his name before.””
“Where?””
“My sister’s files.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“Before she disappeared, she collected information on everyone connected to Mason.””
He looked back at me.
“She had a folder with your name.””
My heart stopped.
“Me?””
He nodded.
“I thought she was investigating you.””
The thought hurt.
“Why would she?””
“Because Mason made everyone suspicious of everyone else.””
I looked down.
“That sounds like him.””
Julian was quiet.
Then he said:
“She wasn’t investigating you.””
“What was she doing?””
“She was trying to protect you.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because she knew Mason was going to sacrifice you next.””
The words hit me.
“What do you mean?””
Julian hesitated.
Before he could answer, the doors behind us opened.
Olivia stepped outside.
Her face was serious.
“We found Lily.””
My heart jumped.
“Where?””
She looked at us.
“She’s coming here.””
I stared.
“Now?””
Olivia nodded.
“She wants to see Mason.””
A car turned into the driveway.
Slowly.
The headlights moved across the dark parking lot.
Everyone inside stopped.
Because everyone knew.
The final secret had arrived.
The car door opened.
A woman stepped out.
Older than Mason.
Older than Olivia.
Her hair was silver.
Her face calm.
But her eyes carried twenty years of anger.
She walked toward the entrance.
And before she opened the door, she looked directly at me.
Then she said:
“You must be Claire.””
I froze.
“How do you know my name?””
The woman looked at the wedding hall.
At Mason.
Then back at me.
“Because I’m the person who warned him about you seven years ago.””
A chill ran through me.
“What?””
She smiled sadly.
May you like
“Your marriage was never an accident, Claire.””
And then she walked inside.
