Chapter 12: The Confession Behind Closed Doors
Richard locked the office door.
The sound echoed through the empty building.
For the first time in my life, I looked at my uncle and didn’t see family.
I saw the person who had been hiding behind kindness for decades.
“You knew I would find this.””
Richard walked toward the desk.
“I hoped you would.””
I frowned.
“Why?””
“Because someone needed to know the truth.””
I almost laughed.
“You’re saying that after destroying everything?””
His expression hardened.
“You have no idea what your father did.””
“I know enough.””
“No.””
He shook his head.
“You know the version everyone gave you.””
I stared at him.
“Then tell me yours.””
Richard looked at the documents scattered across the desk.
“Your father wasn’t the victim.””
My jaw tightened.
“You keep saying that.””
“Because it’s true.””
He picked up an old photograph.
“William Reid was my friend.””
“Then why did you betray him?””
His face changed.
A flash of anger.
“Because he betrayed me first.””
I waited.
Richard sat down.
“Bennett-Reid Development was supposed to belong to three people.””
“My father, William, and you?””
He nodded.
“But Thomas pushed us out.””
I looked at him.
“So you destroyed him.””
“I corrected an injustice.””
“No.””
My voice was firm.
“You hurt innocent people.””
His eyes moved to me.
“Did Marcus tell you what happened after his father lost everything?””
“Yes.””
“Did he tell you what your father did afterward?””
I didn’t answer.
Richard leaned forward.
“Thomas built a perfect life. A beautiful house. A successful company. A happy daughter.””
He pointed at me.
“And William’s family suffered.””
I shook my head.
“That doesn’t justify what you did.””
For the first time, Richard looked almost disappointed.
“You sound just like your father.””
I stepped closer.
“No. I sound like someone who understands right from wrong.””
The office became quiet.
Then Richard smiled.
A cold smile.
“You still don’t understand.””
“What?””
“You think this was about revenge.””
He opened a drawer.
Inside was a small recording device.
He placed it on the desk.
“What is that?””
“The truth.””
He pressed play.
My father’s voice filled the room.
“I need you to handle William.””
My blood froze.
Richard watched my reaction.
“You see?””
The recording continued.
“I don’t want him talking.””
I covered my mouth.
No.
It couldn’t be true.
Richard stopped the recording.
“Your father made the decision.””
I stared at him.
“Why?””
“Because William knew too much.””
“About what?””
Richard leaned back.
“About the money.””
I felt dizzy.
“What money?””
He looked at me.
“The money your father used to build Bennett Properties.””
I whispered,
“That’s impossible.””
Richard smiled.
“Ask your mother.””
My phone suddenly rang.
Jordan.
I answered.
“Jordan?””
His voice was urgent.
“Claire, where are you?””
“I found Richard.””
A pause.
“Leave immediately.””
“Why?””
“Because I checked the recording file.””
My heartbeat increased.
“And?””
His voice became quieter.
“Claire, that recording is real.””
I looked at Richard.
Then Jordan continued.
“But there’s something else.””
“What?””
“The recording was edited.””
I froze.
“What?””
“Someone removed a part.””
I stared at Richard.
“What part?””
Jordan answered:
“The part where your father says who he was trying to protect.””
The lights in the office suddenly flickered.
Richard looked toward the door.
And for the first time…
He looked afraid.
Then someone knocked.
Three slow knocks.
Richard whispered,
“They found me.””
I looked at the door.
“Who?””
Richard didn’t answer.
The door handle slowly turned.
And a familiar voice said:
May you like
“Claire, we need to talk.””
It was my mother.
