Chapter 8 - THE CHILD THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD CONTROL
Anna didn't hesitate.
“We're going back.”
“To the wedding estate?” I asked.
She nodded.
“That's where Sophie is.”
Our mother grabbed her arm.
“It's a trap.”
“I know.”
“Then why go?”
“Because my daughter is there.”
We returned to the estate after midnight.
The wedding decorations were still everywhere.
Flowers were dying in vases.
Half-empty glasses covered tables.
The ballroom looked abandoned.
But the nursery door was open.
Sophie was gone.
Anna's face changed.
“No.”
We searched every room.
Nothing.
Then I noticed the piano.
A small envelope sat on the keys.
I opened it.
Inside was a photograph of Sophie.
On the back:
BASEMENT.
We ran downstairs.
The old basement was dark.
Then we heard crying.
“Mommy?”
Anna rushed toward the sound.
Sophie was tied to a chair.
Anna dropped beside her.
“I'm here.”
Sophie threw herself into her mother's arms.
“I knew you'd come.”
Anna untied her.
“Who did this?”
Sophie pointed toward the hallway.
“Uncle Thomas.”
We turned.
Thomas stepped from the shadows.
He was holding a gun.
“Enough.”
Anna stood in front of Sophie.
“Let her go.”
Thomas laughed.
“You really think this is about the money?”
Anna stared at him.
“Then what is it about?”
“Control.”
He smiled.
“Your father built an empire and thought he could decide who deserved it.”
“You killed him.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“Your mother did.”
Our mother stepped forward.
“I did what I had to.”
Thomas laughed.
“You always say that.”
He looked at Anna.
“Your father planned to expose me.”
“So you paid Daniel.”
“I paid everyone.”
Rebecca stepped into the room.
Thomas looked surprised.
“You.”
She shook her head.
“No more.”
Thomas raised the gun.
I moved between him and Rebecca.
“Put it down.”
He laughed.
“You're brave now?”
“You framed me.”
“You were useful.”
Anna looked at me.
“What does he mean?”
Thomas smiled.
“Your brother was always the perfect scapegoat.”
I clenched my fists.
“You used me.”
“Yes.”
“You drugged me.”
“Yes.”
“You made me believe I was losing my mind.”
“Yes.”
Thomas looked almost amused.
“People believe whatever they're afraid to question.”
Then the basement lights turned on.
Police officers surrounded him.
Thomas froze.
Anna smiled.
“You talk too much.”
Thomas looked at me.
“How?”
I held up my phone.
“Every word.”
He stared.
“You were recording?”
“Since we entered.”
Thomas lowered the gun.
The police moved in.
He surrendered.
As they handcuffed him, he looked at Anna.
“You think this ends here?”
Anna didn't answer.
Thomas smiled.
“Ask your mother what happened to the original trust.”
Our mother went pale.
Anna turned.
“Mom?”
Our mother whispered:
“I destroyed it.”
“What?”
“The original document.”
“Why?”
“To protect you.”
Anna stared.
“Then how do we prove Sophie owns the estate?”
Our mother looked at Sophie.
She smiled sadly.
“We don't.”
Everyone froze.
“Because Sophie doesn't own the estate.”
Anna's face went white.
“Then who does?”
Our mother looked at me.
“The person your father trusted most.”
I stared at her.
“Who?”
May you like
She answered:
“Marcus.”
