Chapter 12 - Richard's Confession
Police listened through Claire’s transmitter.
Eleanor did not know.
She held Richard’s missing page between two fingers.
“Your saint Richard wasn’t innocent.”
Claire said nothing.
Eleanor began reading.
Richard had known about Charles Vale’s illegal adoption operation before Rebecca discovered it.
He had remained silent for nearly a year.
Why?
Because Blackwood Industries depended on Vale financing.
Richard feared losing the company.
Children suffered while he protected his fortune.
Ethan heard every word from the police van outside.
His face collapsed.
Eleanor continued.
“Your father only became brave when Rebecca threatened to expose all of us.”
Claire stared at her.
“All of you?”
“I handled paperwork.”
“My father ran the operation.”
“Richard financed some of the clinics.”
Anna closed her eyes.
Claire felt sick.
Richard had eventually helped Rebecca.
He had rescued Rosa.
He had collected evidence.
But he had first been complicit.
He had spent the rest of his life trying to undo what cowardice had allowed.
Eleanor smiled.
“Still think the Blackwoods are heroes?”
Claire answered calmly.
“No.”
That surprised her.
“My father spent years hiding his guilt.”
Claire stepped closer.
“But he eventually tried to stop it.”
“You never did.”
Eleanor’s eyes hardened.
Claire placed Richard’s files on the ground.
“Now release Anna.”
Eleanor kicked the case toward herself.
Then Anna spoke.
“Tell her the rest.”
Eleanor looked sharply at her.
Claire turned.
“What rest?”
Anna stared at Eleanor.
“Tell Claire who warned me not to trust Rebecca.”
Eleanor said nothing.
Anna continued.
“It was David.”
Claire froze.
Her father had believed Rebecca was part of the scheme.
For years, he thought Rebecca had kidnapped his daughter for money.
That was why he had never approached Claire directly even after learning she might be alive.
Eleanor had poisoned him against the woman protecting Claire.
Claire whispered.
“You made my father believe Rebecca stole me.”
Eleanor smiled faintly.
“And he died believing it.”
Claire fought tears.
But Anna shook her head.
“No.”
Eleanor turned.
Anna’s voice became stronger.
“David learned the truth before he died.”
Eleanor’s expression changed.
Claire stepped toward Anna.
“How?”
“He found Rebecca.”
Claire’s heart stopped.
“When?”
“Six months before he died.”
Anna looked at her daughter.
“He met you too.”
Claire stared at her.
“I never met David Carrington.”
“Yes, you did.”
Anna smiled through tears.
“You were fourteen.”
Claire remembered a man who had visited Rebecca’s little house one summer afternoon.
Tall.
Gray suit.
Kind eyes.
Rebecca had introduced him as an old friend named Daniel.
He had stayed less than an hour.
Before leaving, he had handed Claire a silver dollar.
She still had it.
May you like
Her father had stood in front of her.
And neither of them had been allowed to say the truth.
