Chapter 12 - The LetterThat night, Julian and Clara examined the old documents.
They found dozens of letters.
Most had never been delivered.
One contained a single sentence:
"If they tell you I left willingly, don't believe them."
Clara covered her mouth.
Her mother had never told her.
Julian read the rest.
The letter suggested that someone inside the family had threatened Clara's mother to keep her away from the estate.
The identity was unclear.
But one name appeared repeatedly in the financial records.
Whitmore.
Clara looked at Julian.
"Vanessa's family?"
Julian's face hardened.
"My grandfather had business dealings with them."
The pieces began connecting.
The family secret wasn't just emotional.
It involved money.
Power.
And betrayal.
Before they could investigate further, the lights went out.
A crash came from downstairs.
Julian immediately stood.
"Stay here."
Clara grabbed his sleeve.
"I'm not staying behind."
He looked at her.
For the first time, there was something almost like respect in his eyes.
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"Then stay close."
They walked into the darkness together.
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