Chapter 5 - WHAT MY FATHER LEFT BEHIND
My mother stared at Claire.
I had never seen her look so frightened.
“What did your father hide?” Claire asked.
My mother’s lips trembled.
“Ethan…”
“Mom.”
She looked at me.
I waited.
Finally, she whispered:
“Your father had a second set of financial records.”
I frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“He kept them separate from the company accounts.”
“Why?”
“Because he believed someone was stealing from him.”
I looked at Claire.
She immediately shook her head.
“I had nothing to do with your father.”
“Then why was your company paid $250,000?”
She said nothing.
My mother closed her eyes.
“Your father suspected Daniel.”
I felt the room tilt.
“Daniel?”
She nodded.
“He was a consultant for the company.”
I looked toward the security footage.
The man Claire had told me was a criminal.
The man she claimed had betrayed her.
My father had suspected him of stealing.
But why had money been transferred to a company connected to Claire?
I looked at her.
“How did you know Daniel?”
She remained silent.
“Claire.”
She finally answered.
“We worked together.”
“When?”
“Before I met you.”
“Why did you tell me you barely knew him?”
“Because I hated him.”
“Why?”
Her eyes filled with tears.
For the first time, her expression looked genuine.
“He betrayed me.”
I shook my head.
“By stealing money?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did my father pay your company?”
She looked toward my mother.
“I didn't know where the money came from.”
My mother suddenly stood.
The movement made her wince.
I immediately reached for her.
“I’m fine.”
“No, you're not.”
She ignored me.
She looked at Claire.
“What did Daniel promise you?”
Claire’s face changed.
My mother continued.
“Half.”
Claire looked away.
I felt a cold pressure in my chest.
“Half of what?”
No one answered.
Then my phone rang.
The number was unknown.
I answered.
“Hello?”
A man's voice came through.
“Ethan Carter?”
“Yes.”
“You need to leave the venue.”
“Who is this?”
“You don't understand what you're involved in.”
I looked at Claire.
She was watching me.
The voice continued.
“Your wedding was never the objective.”
I stepped away from everyone.
“What does that mean?”
“Your father left something behind.”
My heart began pounding.
“What?”
“Something worth more than the company.”
I glanced at my mother.
The caller continued.
“And Claire knows where it is.”
The line went dead.
I turned toward Claire.
She had heard enough from my expression.
“What happened?”
I walked toward her.
“Where is it?”
She frowned.
“Where is what?”
“My father’s secret.”
She looked at me.
Then at my mother.
And finally…
She began to cry.
“I don't know.”
My mother whispered:
“Yes, you do.”
Claire froze.
My mother reached into her handbag.
She pulled out a small brass key.
I had never seen it before.
She placed it on the table.
“Your father gave me this the night before he died.”
I stared at the key.
“What does it open?”
May you like
My mother looked toward the old family estate.
“The room he told me never to enter.”
