Chapter 2: The Guest Who Ran
I had spent months wondering what Claire was trying to tell me.
Now I finally understood one thing.
She had been afraid.
Not of death.
Of what would happen after.
I stepped into the ballroom holding the tablet.
The Christmas lights reflected off expensive glasses and smiling faces.
Everyone looked uncomfortable.
They had all heard enough.
But one person looked terrified.
Daniel Cross.
My father’s former attorney.
A man who had attended every major family event for fifteen years.
He was halfway to the exit.
“Daniel.””
He stopped.
Slowly.
Everyone turned.
Daniel forced a smile.
“Ethan. Welcome home.””
I walked closer.
“You were leaving.””
He laughed nervously.
“Bathroom.””
“You were walking toward the front door.””
The room went silent.
Daniel looked around.
Searching for someone to save him.
Vanessa looked away.
Grant looked angry.
That told me everything.
“You know what’s on that recording,” I said.
Daniel shook his head.
“No.””
“Then why run?””
He said nothing.
I held up the tablet.
“My wife recorded something before she died.””
The guests started whispering.
Daniel’s expression changed.
“Claire was sick. She wasn’t thinking clearly.””
That sentence hit me harder than I expected.
Because it sounded rehearsed.
Like someone had already decided what story everyone should believe.
I stepped closer.
“You knew Claire.””
“Yes.””
“You knew my daughters.””
“Yes.””
“Then tell me why my wife thought she needed to leave evidence behind.””
Daniel looked toward Vanessa.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
And so did everyone else.
Vanessa immediately spoke.
“Ethan, this is ridiculous.””
I turned toward her.
“Is it?””
She forced a laugh.
“You’re tired. You just came home.””
I looked back at my daughters.
They were wrapped in blankets now.
A housekeeper I trusted had finally brought them warm clothes.
The fact that she had to do that in my own home made me sick.
I picked up the tablet again.
“There’s another part of the recording.””
Vanessa’s eyes widened.
“No.””
I pressed play.
Claire appeared again.
This time she looked more serious.
“If you’re watching this, Ethan, it means I wasn’t able to explain everything myself.””
I felt my throat tighten.
“I need you to check the old family account records.””
Grant suddenly moved.
“Enough.””
I looked at him.
“Why?””
“Because Claire was confused.””
“Funny.””
I stared at him.
“Everyone keeps saying she was confused.””
Grant stepped forward.
“She was dying.””
“And somehow, while dying, she managed to know something was wrong.””
Nobody spoke.
Claire continued.
“Someone has been moving money.””
My blood ran cold.
“Someone has been using my name.””
Daniel looked down.
Vanessa looked at Grant.
The recording continued.
“I don’t know who I can trust.””
Then Claire said something that made my entire body freeze.
“Ethan, if you find this, look at the Christmas party guest list.””
The screen went black.
Nobody moved.
The Christmas party guest list.
I slowly looked around the room.
Every person here.
Every smiling face.
Every person I had invited.
Someone had been part of Claire’s fear.
Someone had been close enough to hurt my family.
Vanessa walked toward me.
“Ethan, please.””
I stepped away.
“Did Claire know?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Know what?””
“That you hated her.””
Her expression changed.
“I loved Claire.””
“No.””
I looked at the breakfast room behind me.
“You loved pretending.””
Her mouth opened.
But before she answered, my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
A woman’s voice whispered.
“Ethan…”
I froze.
Because I knew that voice.
It belonged to someone who was supposed to be dead.
“Your wife left another recording.””
My grip tightened.
“Who is this?””
The woman breathed heavily.
Then she said:
May you like
“Someone who tried to warn Claire before it was too late.””
The call ended.