Chapter 14: The Truth Behind the Locked Door
I don’t remember moving.
One second I was standing near the attic door.
The next, I was standing in front of Ethan.
“You helped him?””
Ethan looked devastated.
“Daniel—”
“Who?””
He looked down.
“Robert.””
My father.
Even dead, he was still reaching into our lives.
Still controlling everything.
Still hurting us.
“Why?””
Ethan’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because he told me Claire was in danger.””
I laughed bitterly.
“She was.””
“I know.””
“No, you don’t.””
My voice cracked.
“She was locked behind a wall.””
Ethan nodded.
“I know.””
“Then why?””
He looked at Claire.
“Because I thought I was protecting her.””
Claire stepped forward.
“You knew where I was?””
Ethan couldn’t look at her.
“Yes.””
The pain on her face was worse than anger.
“You saw me.””
He nodded.
“I came that night.””
“The night I disappeared?””
“Yes.””
“And you left me there.””
His silence was the answer.
Claire stepped back.
I wanted to hate him.
I wanted a simple villain.
Someone easy to blame.
But Ethan looked broken.
Not proud.
Not cruel.
Broken.
“Tell me everything.””
He sat down.
“I found Dad’s files after he died.””
He looked at Thomas.
“He knew Thomas was alive.””
Thomas nodded.
“Robert was preparing for him.””
Ethan continued.
“He also knew Claire had discovered the hidden room.””
“Then why didn’t he tell us?””
“Because he didn’t trust anyone.””
I almost smiled.
“That sounds like him.””
Ethan looked at me.
“He believed someone was trying to destroy the family.””
“And he was right?””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
Ethan looked at Thomas.
Then at Vanessa.
Then at me.
“Your father never figured it out.””
A chill ran through me.
“What?””
“The person who stole the money. The person who manipulated the renovations. The person who helped create the hidden rooms.””
He swallowed.
“Robert thought it was Thomas.””
Thomas shook his head.
“He was wrong.””
Ethan continued.
“The person was someone Robert trusted completely.””
My heart sank.
“Who?””
Ethan looked at Claire.
“Her.””
Everyone turned.
Claire froze.
“What?””
Ethan shook his head quickly.
“No. Not Claire.””
He pointed.
“Her evidence.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
“Claire found documents. But someone planted them.””
Detective Reed stepped forward.
“You’re saying someone used Claire?””
“Yes.””
“Who?””
Ethan looked toward the hallway.
“Vanessa.””
Nobody moved.
Vanessa stared at him.
“No.””
Ethan’s face twisted with pain.
“I’m sorry.””
She shook her head.
“You’re lying.””
Thomas looked at his daughter.
“Vanessa…”
She stepped backward.
“Stop.””
Her voice cracked.
“You don’t understand.””
I stared at her.
“What don’t I understand?””
For the first time, Vanessa looked angry.
Not afraid.
Angry.
“I spent my entire life cleaning up the damage caused by men like you.””
She looked at Thomas.
“By Robert.””
Then at me.
“By you.””
I stepped back.
“Me?””
“You got everything.””
Her voice rose.
“You got the family. The house. The name.””
Tears filled her eyes.
“And I got nothing.””
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“You trapped Claire because you were jealous?””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“Because I wanted the truth.””
Detective Reed moved closer.
“What truth?””
Vanessa looked at me.
“The truth about what Robert did.””
“What did he do?””
She smiled sadly.
“He didn’t just hide your identity.””
A pause.
“He hid the reason your mother died.””
The room went still.
I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
“What?””
Vanessa looked toward Thomas.
“Tell him.””
Thomas closed his eyes.
“No.””
“Tell him!””
Thomas looked at me.
And the pain on his face scared me.
“Your mother didn’t die from illness.””
May you like
My heart stopped.
“She was killed.””
