Chapter 7 - THE AUNT WHO SOLD OUR SILENCE
Eleanor Bennett had my mother's eyes.
That was the first thing I noticed when investigators finally brought her in for questioning.
Not her resemblance.
Not her gray-streaked hair.
Her eyes.
The same gentle brown eyes that had watched over me throughout my childhood.
But unlike my mother, Eleanor couldn't hold my gaze.
She sat across from me in a police interview room, twisting a tissue between her fingers.
“Elena.”
Her voice broke.
“You look so much like Rose.”
I stared at her.
“Where's Sophie?”
Eleanor began crying.
“She's alive.”
“Then tell them where she is.”
“I can't.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel has my son.”
I froze.
“Your son?”
She nodded.
“His name is Michael. He's twenty-seven. Daniel has been using him to threaten me for years.”
Lucas stood beside the door.
His expression darkened.
Eleanor continued.
“Margaret knew everything. She knew Rose owned part of Cole House. She knew Vivienne planned to transfer ownership to you girls.”
My stomach tightened.
“So they stole it.”
“Yes.”
“And my mother?”
Eleanor covered her face.
“Rose found out.”
I leaned forward.
“What happened?”
Eleanor looked toward the investigator.
“She discovered fraudulent documents. She planned to confront Margaret and Daniel.”
My voice trembled.
“And?”
“She was already very sick. They threatened to take away her insurance coverage and leave her daughters with nothing.”
I felt tears gathering.
“She was dying.”
Eleanor nodded.
“They knew.”
I swallowed.
“Did they kill her?”
Eleanor shook her head.
“I don't know. But I know they interfered with her treatment records.”
The investigator leaned forward.
“What do you mean?”
Eleanor opened her handbag and removed a small flash drive.
“Rose gave me copies of her medical records before she died.”
She placed it on the table.
“I was too afraid to use them.”
I stared at her.
“For six years?”
Eleanor began sobbing.
“I thought keeping quiet would protect my son.”
My anger rose.
“And what about us?”
She lowered her head.
“I failed you.”
For a long moment, I couldn't speak.
Then Lucas touched my shoulder gently.
“Elena, we need to find Sophie.”
I nodded.
Eleanor looked up.
“There's something else.”
I turned toward her.
“What?”
“Daniel isn't working alone.”
“Margaret?”
“Yes. But there's someone above them.”
Lucas's expression changed.
“Who?”
Eleanor swallowed.
“The person who controlled the company after Vivienne died.”
Lucas frowned.
“That was me.”
Eleanor shook her head.
“No, Lucas.”
She looked terrified.
“Not officially.”
May you like
Then she whispered:
“Your mother left someone else in charge before she died.”
