Chapter 4: The Woman They Trusted
Daniel met Detective Harris the next morning.
He didn’t tell Claire where he was going.
He simply said he had work.
For the first time in months, he lied to her.
And he hated that.
But he hated more that he understood why Noah had been afraid to speak.
The detective placed a folder on the table.
“Your sister has a history of financial problems.””
Daniel stared.
“What kind?””
“Debt. Manipulation. Borrowing money from relatives.””
“That doesn’t explain my children.””
“No.””
Detective Harris opened another document.
“But this does.””
Daniel read the report.
It was from another family.
Another child.
Another home.
His hands became cold.
“Who are they?””
“A family Claire stayed with three years ago.””
“Why?””
“Same reason she gave you.””
Daniel already knew.
“She helped them.””
The detective nodded.
“And after she left, they discovered money missing.””
Daniel looked up.
“She stole from them?””
“We’re still investigating.””
Daniel closed the folder.
“But why my kids?””
The detective looked serious.
“That’s what we’re trying to understand.””
When Daniel returned home, Claire was waiting.
“You’ve been avoiding me.””
Daniel placed his keys down.
“I’ve been busy.””
“No.””
She stepped closer.
“You’re different.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Maybe I’m seeing things differently.””
Claire’s face hardened.
“What did Noah tell you?””
The question came too quickly.
Daniel noticed.
“You’re worried about what he said?””
“I’m worried about my nephew lying.””
Daniel moved closer.
“Why are you afraid of an eight-year-old?””
For the first time, Claire had no answer.
Just anger.
“You’re choosing them over me?””
Daniel laughed quietly.
“They’re my children.””
“And I’m your sister.””
“Being family doesn’t mean you can hurt them.””
Claire’s eyes narrowed.
“You have no idea what you’re accusing me of.””
“Actually, I think I’m finally starting to understand.””
That evening, Daniel sat with Lily.
She was coloring.
A picture of their family.
Daniel looked at it.
There were three people.
Him.
Lily.
Noah.
He noticed something.
Someone was missing.
“Where’s Aunt Claire?””
Lily pressed harder with the crayon.
“She doesn’t like pictures.””
“Why?””
The little girl shrugged.
“She says we make her look bad.””
Daniel swallowed.
“Did Aunt Claire ever say anything else?””
Lily looked at him.
“She said Mommy wouldn’t want us.””
Daniel felt like the air disappeared.
“What?””
Lily’s eyes filled.
“She said Mommy left because she didn’t love us.””
Daniel closed his eyes.
His wife had died after a long illness.
The children were already carrying enough pain.
Claire had taken that pain and turned it into a weapon.
“Daddy?””
Daniel pulled Lily into his arms.
“Never believe that.””
“But she said—”
“I know.””
His voice broke.
“I know.””
Later that night, Daniel heard Noah crying.
He found him sitting on the floor beside his bed.
“I’m sorry.””
Daniel knelt.
“For what?””
“I should have told you sooner.””
Daniel shook his head.
“No.””
“I tried to protect Lily.””
“You did.””
Noah wiped his eyes.
“But I was scared.””
Daniel held his son.
“You were eight years old and you still stood between her and danger.””
Noah looked at him.
“I thought nobody was coming.””
Daniel felt tears in his eyes.
“Someone should have.””
A long silence.
Then Noah whispered:
“Dad?””
“Yeah?””
“I found something else.””
Daniel looked at him.
“What?””
Noah reached under his pillow.
He pulled out a small envelope.
“I didn’t know if I should show you.””
Daniel opened it.
Inside was a photograph.
An old photograph.
Claire standing beside another family.
And behind them was a house Daniel recognized.
His house.
His address.
Written on the back were five words.
May you like
Words that made Daniel’s blood run cold.
“She was here before.””
