Chapter 11: Claire’s Confession
I didn’t let Claire sit.
I didn’t offer her comfort.
I didn’t tell her everything would be okay.
Because I didn’t know if she deserved any of those things.
She stood at the end of my hospital bed, crying silently.
“Tell me.””
Claire wiped her face.
“The original plan was supposed to be an argument.””
I stared at her.
“An argument?””
She nodded.
“Mom wanted you upset. She wanted you to leave the house.””
“Why?””
Claire looked down.
“Because she wanted access to your room.””
A chill moved through me.
“My room?””
“She thought you kept copies of the trust papers there.””
I shook my head.
“I didn’t.””
“I know.””
Claire’s voice became smaller.
“But Mom didn’t.””
I looked at her.
“What changed?””
Claire swallowed.
“She found out the trust had another condition.””
The room went silent.
“What condition?””
Claire looked terrified.
“If anything happened to you before the baby was born, the money would not go to your family.””
I frowned.
“Then where would it go?””
Claire whispered:
“To a children’s foundation.””
I froze.
My grandmother.
She had protected my daughter even after death.
She knew exactly what kind of people might fight over money.
Claire continued.
“That’s when Mom panicked.””
“Because she couldn’t get the money.””
Claire nodded.
“She said the baby was the only thing standing between her and everything she deserved.””
I looked away.
My eyes burned.
“She said that?””
Claire nodded.
“I heard her.””
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then I asked:
“Why did you help her?””
Claire broke down.
“I was angry.””
The honesty surprised me.
“I was tired of feeling like you were the favorite.””
I looked at her.
“You hurt me because you were jealous?””
She cried harder.
“I thought I was taking back what was mine.””
I shook my head.
“You weren’t taking back anything.””
I looked at my stomach.
“You were trying to take from someone who hadn’t even been born.””
Claire covered her face.
“I know.””
The door opened.
Ethan walked in.
His expression immediately hardened.
“What is she doing here?””
Claire stepped back.
“I’m telling the truth.””
Ethan looked at me.
“Are you okay?””
I nodded.
“Stay.””
Claire looked at him.
“I know you hate me.””
Ethan didn’t answer.
“But I can help.””
“With what?”” he asked.
Claire reached into her pocket.
She pulled out a small recording device.
My heart stopped.
“What is that?””
“A recording from Mom.””
Ethan took a step forward.
“Where did you get it?””
Claire looked ashamed.
“I recorded her after the attack.””
“Why?””
She looked at me.
“Because I realized she wasn’t scared about what happened to you.””
Claire’s voice cracked.
“She was scared the police would find out.””
The recording played.
My mother’s voice filled the room.
“Claire, you should have pushed harder.””
I stopped breathing.
Claire’s voice followed.
“I didn’t know she would fall like that.””
My mother answered:
“That’s why I told you to aim lower.””
My hands went cold.
Ethan immediately took the device.
The recording continued.
Claire asked:
“What if the baby survives?””
My mother replied:
“Then we find another way.””
The recording ended.
Nobody spoke.
Then Ethan quietly said:
“She was going to try again.””
I looked at Claire.
“Why give this to me now?””
Claire cried.
“Because I finally understood something.””
“What?””
She looked at my daughter’s monitor.
“That baby never took anything from me.””
A knock suddenly came from the hallway.
The detective entered.
His face was serious.
“Emma, we need to talk.””
I looked at him.
“What happened?””
He glanced at Claire.
Then at Ethan.
“We found your mother.””
My heart sank.
“Where?””
The detective hesitated.
“She was leaving town.””
Ethan frowned.
“With what?””
The detective opened his folder.
“The original trust documents.””
My blood ran cold.
But then he added:
“And something else.””
I stared at him.
“What?””
The detective placed a photograph on the table.
It showed my mother standing beside someone.
May you like
Someone I thought had nothing to do with this.
Someone who made the entire investigation change direction.
