Chapter 8: The Person Claire Was Protecting

The police confirmed it the next morning.

Marcus Vale was real.

And he had been connected to Claire for years.

“He used people,” Detective Harris explained.

“Claire was one of them?””

“Possibly.””

Daniel looked confused.

“But why would she help him?””

Harris opened a file.

“Because she believed he could give her the life she wanted.””

Daniel thought about Claire’s words.

You had everything.

She had spent years looking at his family like it was something stolen from her.

“She didn’t want my life,” Daniel said quietly.

“She wanted to replace it.””

Marcus was found three days later.

Not far away.

Not hiding.

Waiting.

When Daniel saw him, he expected anger.

Instead, he saw something worse.

Confidence.

“You’re Daniel.””

Daniel stared.

“And you’re the reason my family was afraid.””

Marcus smiled.

“Claire told me about you.””

“I don’t care.””

“You should.””

Daniel stepped closer.

“Why?””

“Because she wasn’t the only one making mistakes.””

The words bothered him.

“What does that mean?””

Marcus leaned back.

“You think Claire was the villain because it’s easier.””

Daniel said nothing.

“She was weak,” Marcus continued.

“But she wasn’t the mastermind.””

Detective Harris interrupted.

“Careful.””

But Daniel felt something shift.

“What are you saying?””

Marcus smiled.

“I’m saying you don’t know the whole story.””

That night, Daniel returned home with more questions than answers.

He found Noah waiting.

“You look worried.””

Daniel sat beside him.

“I found out there are things I don’t understand.””

Noah looked at him.

“Like when Aunt Claire came here?””

Daniel froze.

“What?””

Noah hesitated.

“She told me something once.””

“What?””

“She said she knew our family before.””

Daniel stared.

“When?””

“Before Mom got sick.””

Daniel’s chest tightened.

“Why didn’t you tell me?””

Noah looked away.

“Because she told me not to.””

Daniel felt anger rising.

“What exactly did she say?””

Noah whispered:

“She said if Dad knew the truth, he would leave us.””

Daniel went still.

“The truth about what?””

Noah looked toward the hallway.

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Then said:

“She said Mom knew her.””