Chapter 12 - THE NIGHT CLARA DISAPPEAREDThey returned to the estate.
Not because it was safe.
Because Daniel had nowhere else to go.
The mansion was surrounded by police.
Eleanor had been arrested.
But the family secrets were only beginning.
Sarah sat in the library.
Daniel stood by the window.
Clara remained near the fireplace.
Arthur watched quietly.
Sarah finally spoke.
“What happened that night?”
Daniel closed his eyes.
“I was twelve.”
Clara looked at him.
“I was fourteen.”
Daniel swallowed.
“Mother told me Clara had betrayed us.”
Clara shook her head.
“She told you I stole money.”
“Yes.”
“You believed her.”
“I was twelve.”
Clara's expression softened.
“I know.”
Daniel continued.
“She said Clara was leaving.”
Clara looked down.
“She locked me in the basement.”
Daniel turned.
“I heard you screaming.”
Clara looked at him.
“You opened the door.”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn't you help me?”
Daniel's eyes filled.
“Because Mother was behind me.”
Clara closed her eyes.
“She told you that if you helped me, she'd send me away too.”
Daniel nodded.
“I was terrified.”
“You closed the door.”
“Yes.”
Sarah looked sick.
“What happened next?”
Clara answered.
“Someone came for me.”
“Who?”
“My mother's brother.”
“He took you away?”
“No.”
Clara looked at Eleanor's empty chair.
“He tried.”
Sarah waited.
“He was killed.”
Daniel stared.
“What?”
“Eleanor had him followed.”
Arthur stepped forward.
“There was a car accident.”
Clara nodded.
“Except it wasn't an accident.”
Sarah whispered:
“How did you survive?”
“Someone found me.”
“Who?”
Clara smiled faintly.
“A woman named Helen.”
Sarah froze.
“Helen?”
Arthur suddenly looked up.
“Your mother.”
Clara looked at Sarah.
“She isn't dead.”
Silence.
Sarah's heart stopped.
“What?”
“Your mother?”
Clara nodded.
“She has been living under another name for twenty years.”
Sarah shook her head.
“My mother died when I was seven.”
“No.”
Clara reached into her bag.
Pulled out a photograph.
A woman stood beside Clara.
Older.
But unmistakably alive.
Sarah stared.
The photograph slipped from her hand.
“No…”
Daniel stepped closer.
“Sarah?”
She couldn't breathe.
“My father told me she died.”
Arthur looked at Clara.
“Who told you she was dead?”
“Helen herself.”
Sarah picked up the photograph.
“Where is she?”
Clara hesitated.
“Somewhere Eleanor couldn't reach.”
“Where?”
“Portugal.”
Sarah stared.
“Why didn't she come back?”
Clara's voice softened.
“Because Eleanor threatened you.”
Sarah's knees weakened.
Her mother had stayed away to protect her.
For twenty years.
Daniel looked at the photograph.
“My mother knew.”
Clara nodded.
“She knew everything.”
Arthur walked toward the bookshelf.
“There is one thing we haven't checked.”
“What?”
He pulled down an old family Bible.
A hidden envelope fell out.
Sarah opened it.
Inside was a letter.
Her mother's handwriting.
Sarah,
If you are reading this, Eleanor has failed to keep the truth buried.
Sarah began crying.
I did not abandon you.
I left because I was told you would die if I stayed.
Your father tried to protect you.
Eleanor stopped him.
The final line was underlined.
The person you fear most is not Eleanor.
Sarah stared.
“What?”
Arthur read over her shoulder.
The final sentence continued.
It is the person who taught Eleanor how to control the Vance family.
Daniel frowned.
“Who?”
Sarah turned the page.
There was a name.
A name none of them recognized.
Victor Hale.
Arthur went completely still.
Clara noticed.
“You know him.”
Arthur nodded.
“He was my employer before Eleanor.”
Daniel stared.
“What does that mean?”
Arthur looked at the letter.
“It means Eleanor was never the architect.”
“Then who was?”
Arthur whispered:
“The Vance family patriarch.”
Sarah's eyes widened.
“My grandfather?”
“No.”
Arthur looked toward the mansion.
“Your grandfather died thirty years ago.”
“Then who?”
Arthur's face turned pale.
“His brother.”
A floorboard creaked behind them.
Everyone turned.
A shadow stood in the doorway.
An old man.
Walking with a cane.
Sarah froze.
The man smiled.
“Hello, Sarah.”
May you like
Arthur whispered his name.
“Victor.”
