Chapter 2: The Locked Office
The next morning, I returned to the house with Mr. Harrison standing beside me.
I had barely slept.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw my father in that hospital bed.
I saw Vivian throwing my suitcase onto the driveway.
I saw Ashley laughing.
But I also remembered one thing.
My father’s voice.
“You’re stronger than you realize, Hannah.””
I never understood why he said that.
Until now.
The front door opened before we even knocked.
Vivian stood there wearing a silk robe, holding a cup of coffee.
She looked completely different from the woman who had screamed at me the night before.
Calm.
Controlled.
Almost innocent.
“Mr. Harrison,” she said with a fake smile.
“I assume you’re here to apologize for yesterday’s misunderstanding.””
He didn’t smile back.
“I’m here to review the terms of the estate.””
She stepped aside.
“Of course.””
As I walked inside, memories hit me from every corner.
The staircase where my father taught me how to ride a bike.
The living room where we watched movies every Christmas.
The kitchen where he burned pancakes every Sunday morning because he never learned how to cook.
But now everything felt different.
Like someone had erased him while his fingerprints were still everywhere.
Ashley sat on the couch scrolling through her phone.
When she saw me, she sighed.
“Seriously? You came back?””
Mr. Harrison looked at her.
“Ashley, this is a legal meeting.””
She shrugged.
“Fine. I just don’t understand why Hannah is acting like she owns the place.””
I turned toward her.
“I’m not acting like I own anything.””
She smiled.
“That’s funny. Because yesterday you looked pretty confident for someone who got kicked out.””
“Ashley,” Vivian warned.
But there was no concern in her voice.
Only control.
Mr. Harrison placed a folder on the table.
“Before we discuss the will, I need access to your husband’s office.””
Vivian’s hand tightened around her coffee cup.
“His office?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because that is where certain documents were stored.””
She hesitated.
Only briefly.
But enough.
“The office is locked,” she said.
“I know.””
“And I don’t have the key.””
Mr. Harrison looked directly at her.
“That’s interesting.””
“What is?””
“Because according to my records, your husband gave you the spare key six months ago.””
Silence.
Ashley looked up.
“What?””
Vivian’s expression hardened.
“I must have misplaced it.””
Mr. Harrison studied her.
“You misplaced the key to your husband’s private office?””
“It happens.””
“No,” he said.
“Not with your husband.””
My stomach tightened.
“What are you saying?””
Mr. Harrison opened the folder.
“I’m saying your father was extremely organized.””
He looked at me.
“Three years ago, he added a security clause to his estate plan.””
Vivian’s eyes narrowed.
“What security clause?””
Mr. Harrison closed the folder.
“One that activates if anyone attempts to remove property, documents, or assets before the official reading of the will.””
Ashley laughed.
“That’s ridiculous.””
“No,” Mr. Harrison said.
“It’s very real.””
Vivian placed her cup down.
“You’re accusing me of stealing?””
“I’m asking a question.””
“You came into my home and insulted me.””
Mr. Harrison remained calm.
“Actually, Vivian, this was your husband’s home.””
Her face twisted.
“Careful.””
“Careful about what?””
She stepped closer.
“About forgetting who has been taking care of this family.””
I almost laughed.
The same woman who had thrown me out hours after my father died was suddenly talking about family.
Then Mr. Harrison noticed something.
A small scratch on Vivian’s hand.
He stared at it.
“Where did you get that?””
She quickly pulled her sleeve down.
“What?””
“The cut on your hand.””
“I bumped into something.””
“When?””
She didn’t answer.
And suddenly, I remembered something.
The night my father died.
Before Vivian arrived at the hospital, she had been alone in his office.
She told everyone she was looking for his insurance papers.
But now…
I wasn’t sure that was the truth.
Mr. Harrison picked up his folder.
“Hannah, I need you to come with me.””
“Where?””
“To the police station.””
My heart dropped.
“Why?””
He looked at Vivian.
“Because your father left evidence that someone would try to destroy his final wishes.””
Vivian’s face went completely still.
Then she whispered:
“What evidence?””
Mr. Harrison looked at me.
“Evidence that proves your father knew exactly what would happen after his death.””
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And behind Vivian’s cold expression…
I saw fear.
