Chapter 8: The Truth Beneath the Name
I didn’t let anyone leave the room.
Not Simone.
Not Marcus.
Not even myself.
Because too many pieces were scattered across the floor, and every time I picked one up, it revealed something worse.
I looked at Marcus.
“Start from the beginning.””
He nodded slowly.
“I married Simone twelve years ago.””
He glanced at the photograph on the desk.
“We had a daughter.””
Lily sat beside me on the bed, listening quietly.
Marcus continued.
“She was born with complications. She spent the first months of her life in and out of hospitals.””
His voice softened.
“She was everything to me.””
Simone looked away.
I noticed.
Every time Marcus talked about their daughter, Simone looked like she was remembering something painful.
Or something she regretted.
“One night,” Marcus continued, “I came home and my daughter was gone.””
My hand tightened around Lily’s.
“What did police say?””
“They said there wasn’t enough evidence.””
“Why?””
“Because Simone had already created a story.””
The room became silent.
“What story?””
Marcus looked directly at Simone.
“That I was unstable.””
My jaw tightened.
“She told people I was dangerous.””
Simone finally spoke.
“Because you were.””
Marcus shook his head.
“No.””
“You threatened me.””
“I was desperate to find my child.””
“You scared me.””
“You used my fear against me.””
I looked at Simone.
“Did you file against him?””
She didn’t answer.
That was enough.
I stood.
“Did you?””
Her eyes met mine.
“Yes.””
The honesty shocked me.
But not as much as what she said next.
“Because I thought I was protecting my daughter.””
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“Your daughter?””
Simone’s eyes filled with anger.
“You don’t know what I went through.””
“No,” Marcus said.
“I know what she went through.””
He pointed toward Lily.
“And that’s what you’re afraid of.””
I looked between them.
“Why Lily?””
Nobody answered.
The question hung there.
Why had Simone chosen my daughter?
Why had she given her the same necklace?
Why had she hidden letters?
Then Lily spoke.
“She told me I reminded her of someone.””
I turned.
“Who?””
Lily looked nervous.
“She said I had the same eyes.””
Marcus closed his eyes.
A painful realization crossed his face.
“No.””
I stood.
“Marcus?””
He looked at Lily.
Then at the necklace.
Then at the photograph.
“Darius…”
“What?””
His voice barely came out.
“I think your daughter may have been connected to mine.””
The words didn’t make sense.
“What does that mean?””
Marcus walked toward the desk and picked up another picture.
He handed it to me.
It was a hospital photo.
A baby.
A tiny newborn wrapped in a blanket.
I looked closer.
Then my breath stopped.
The baby had the same silver heart necklace beside her.
Not wearing it.
Beside her.
Because it was too large.
But it was the same necklace.
The same one Lily wore now.
“Where did you get this?””
Marcus looked at Simone.
“She gave it to me.””
Simone shook her head.
“No.””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“After our daughter disappeared.””
I stared at him.
“Why would she give you a picture?””
Marcus’s expression changed.
“Because she wanted me to believe my daughter was dead.””
The room went completely quiet.
Lily gasped softly.
I pulled her closer.
“You’re saying Simone lied?””
Marcus looked at me.
“I’m saying Simone has been controlling this story for years.””
I turned toward Simone.
“Is Lily your daughter?””
The question came out before I could stop it.
Simone looked hurt.
Not angry.
Hurt.
And for a moment, I saw something human in her.
Then it disappeared.
“No.””
I watched her carefully.
“Then why the necklace?””
She looked at Lily.
And whispered:
“Because I promised her mother I would protect her.””
Nobody moved.
“Her mother?””
Marcus stepped forward.
“Who?””
Simone looked toward the hallway.
Toward the locked room.
Then back at us.
And she said a name.
May you like
A name that made Marcus lose all color in his face.
“Claire.””
