Chapter 12 - THE SISTER WHO HATED HER|
Catherine did not hug Tabitha.
She stood several feet away, watching her with an expression that mixed curiosity and resentment.
"You look like her," Catherine said.
"Like our mother?"
"Like the woman who abandoned me."
Tabitha swallowed.
"She didn't abandon you."
Catherine laughed bitterly.
"That's what everyone says."
She explained that she had grown up in a series of private institutions. She had been told that Isabella chose Graham over her and that Elizabeth had taken Tabitha away because she wanted the inheritance.
Tabitha listened without interrupting.
"My mother loved you," she finally said.
"Then why wasn't she there?"
"Because someone made sure she couldn't be."
Catherine looked away.
A door opened.
Victor entered.
"Have you finished your sentimental reunion?"
Catherine's face immediately changed.
"Where is Graham?"
Victor smiled.
"Coming."
He placed a folder on the table.
"Your sister has something I need. The original trust documents are hidden in her mother's belongings. Once we find them, everything will be settled."
Tabitha stared at him.
"What do you want with the inheritance?"
Victor leaned forward.
"Control."
He explained that Isabella had discovered a financial network that connected the Costa organization to several powerful businessmen. She had wanted to expose it.
The inheritance was not simply money.
It contained ownership documents, hidden accounts, and evidence of criminal dealings.
Victor had spent decades trying to recover it.
Catherine looked at him.
"You promised me I would be free when this was over."
Victor smiled.
"Of course."
But Tabitha noticed the pistol inside his coat.
She understood that Catherine was being used.
"He's going to kill you," Tabitha whispered.
Catherine's eyes narrowed.
"Don't pretend you care about me."
"I don't know you. But I know what it feels like to lose your mother. I won't watch you lose your life too."
For the first time, Catherine looked uncertain.
Outside, Graham approached the facility with a small team.
He had instructed his men not to fire unless absolutely necessary.
Inside, Victor checked his watch.
"Time to finish this."
He ordered Catherine to bring Tabitha downstairs.
Instead, Catherine unlocked Tabitha's restraints.
"Run."
Tabitha stared at her.
"What?"
"There's a service exit behind the examination rooms."
"Come with me."
Catherine shook her head.
"I need to find out what happened to our mother."
The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted them.
Victor appeared in the doorway.
He saw the open restraints.
His expression changed.
"You ungrateful girl."
Catherine stepped in front of Tabitha.
"Don't touch her."
Victor raised his pistol.
At that exact moment, the facility's main doors exploded inward.
Graham entered.
"Drop the weapon!"
Victor turned and fired.
Graham pushed Catherine aside.
The bullet struck his shoulder.
Tabitha screamed.
Graham fell against the wall.
Victor ran toward the rear exit.
But Catherine picked up a fallen security officer's radio and called for backup.
Within minutes, Victor's escape route was blocked.
He was arrested.
Graham was rushed to the hospital.
As Tabitha held his hand in the ambulance, Catherine sat opposite them.
She looked at Graham's blood spreading across his shirt.
Then she quietly asked Tabitha:
"Does he know what happened to our mother the night she died?"
Tabitha looked up.
"No."
Catherine closed her eyes.
"Then there's one more secret."
May you like
She leaned forward.
"Our mother didn't die in that clinic. She was murdered in the Costa mansion."
