Chapter 12 — Elizabeth Ashford's Final Letter
Alex read the letter twice.
Then a third time.
Because his mind refused to accept the words.
His mother's handwriting.
Her signature.
Her final message.
Claire stood beside him.
Waiting.
Afraid.
The letter began:
"Alexander, if you are reading this, then the people I trusted have failed you."
Alex's hands tightened.
"Your father loves you. Never doubt that. But love does not always stop people from making terrible choices."
Richard looked away.
"There is someone inside our family who has been hiding the truth for years."
Alex stopped reading.
He looked at Claire.
Then Richard.
Then continued.
"The person who betrayed me was not the person everyone suspects."
A strange feeling entered the room.
Because everyone had assumed.
Daniel.
Richard.
But Elizabeth was saying something else.
"Daniel Cross was dangerous, but he was not the mastermind."
Claire whispered:
"I told you."
Alex kept reading.
"The person controlling Daniel was someone much closer."
A pause.
"Someone who knew my habits. My schedule. My fears."
The final paragraph was the one that changed everything.
"Alex, trust the woman who stands beside you. Claire Morgan is not your enemy. She is the person who tried to save me."
Alex slowly lowered the letter.
His eyes moved to Claire.
For six years, she had protected him.
And he finally understood.
She wasn't hiding secrets because she wanted to deceive him.
She was hiding because she was carrying a war that started before he knew her.
Then Richard spoke.
"There is something else."
Everyone turned.
Richard walked toward the bookshelf.
He removed an old family photograph.
Behind it was another hidden compartment.
Inside was a small key.
Alex frowned.
"What is that?"
Richard looked at it.
"Your mother's safe."
Claire's face changed.
"Elizabeth had a safe?"
Richard nodded.
"But she never gave me the combination."
"Where is it?"
Richard looked at the key.
"Inside Ashford International's old headquarters."
Alex stared.
"The building we sold ten years ago?"
Richard nodded.
"The building we thought was empty."
Claire felt uneasy.
"Richard."
He looked at her.
"What?"
"Who owns it now?"
Richard's expression darkened.
Nobody spoke.
Because they already knew.
Only one person would have reason to buy a forgotten Ashford building.
Only one person had enough information.
Only one person was always one step ahead.
Alex whispered:
"Daniel."
Richard shook his head.
"No."
He looked at Claire.
"Someone worse."
Suddenly, Alex's phone rang.
Unknown number.
Everyone froze.
He answered.
A woman's voice came through.
A voice Claire recognized immediately.
Her face turned pale.
"No..."
Alex looked at her.
"Who is it?"
Claire couldn't speak.
The woman on the phone laughed softly.
Then said:
"Hello, Claire."
A pause.
"It's been fifteen years."
Claire whispered:
"Emma..."
The woman continued:
"I think it's time your husband learned what really happened the night Elizabeth died."
The call ended.
Alex stared at Claire.
"Who is Emma?"
Claire looked terrified.
May you like
Because there was only one person named Emma who knew the truth.
And Claire had watched her die.
