“What do you mean hidden?”
The woman grabbed Eli’s hand.
“My name is Rachel. Sophia was my best friend.”
Claire’s voice cracked.
“Was?”
Rachel looked terrified.
“Three days ago, Sophia finally decided to contact you.”
She opened the leather satchel and pulled out a thick envelope.
Claire’s name was written across the front.
In Sophia’s handwriting.
Claire tore it open.
The first sentence made her stomach turn.
Claire, Dad lied to both of us.
Claire stopped breathing.
Their father had died six months earlier.
Rachel continued.
“After your argument, Sophia discovered something about your family.”
“What?”
Rachel looked directly into Claire’s eyes.
“Your father had been stealing money from the company for years.”
Claire shook her head.
“No. That’s impossible.”
“There’s more.”
Rachel reached deeper into the satchel and pulled out an old photograph.
Claire looked at it.
Her father stood beside another man outside a private clinic.
Between them was Sophia.
Alive.
The photograph was dated only four years ago.
Claire whispered:
“He knew she was alive…”
Rachel nodded.
“He paid people to keep her away from you.”
Claire felt sick.
“But why?”
Eli suddenly spoke.
“Because of me.”
Claire slowly looked at the boy.
Rachel closed her eyes.
There was no way to soften what came next.
“Eli isn’t just Sophia’s son.”
She pointed at the boy’s brooch.
“He is the reason your father made Sophia disappear.”
Claire stared at Eli.
Then at Rachel.
“What are you saying?”
Rachel leaned closer.
“Claire… Eli’s father is your husband.”
Claire stopped breathing.
Across the street, a black SUV suddenly pulled to the curb.
Rachel’s face went white.
“Oh God.”
The rear door opened.
Claire turned—
And her husband stepped out.
He stared at Eli.
Then at the envelope in Claire’s hand.
And whispered:
“You were never supposed to find them.”
