Chapter 10 - The Investigation Revealed Why Claire Had Been Locked Away From Everyone She Loved
Claire's story emerged slowly.
Not from rumors.
From records and witnesses.
She had discovered altered test results.
She had demanded an independent review.
Eleanor feared the resulting financial collapse.
So she tried to isolate Claire.
June had helped Claire copy the evidence.
When threats failed, the intimidation escalated.
The night of the supposed fire remained murky.
But the photographs were manipulated.
A separate blaze had damaged a storage building.
The official account had merged two incidents.
A retired investigator admitted taking money.
His confession changed everything.
Yet the worst question remained unanswered.
What had actually happened to Claire?
June believed Claire had escaped the estate.
She had seen a car leaving after midnight.
But she never saw who was inside.
Adrian asked the investigators to search again.
He refused to accept easy conclusions.
Meanwhile, Noah began sleeping through the night.
He still hated closed doors.
So we left his bedroom open.
We kept a small lamp burning.
And nobody called him difficult.
One afternoon, he showed me a new drawing.
It depicted three people holding hands.
Himself.
His father.
And me.
"You can stay," he said.
My throat tightened.
"Only if you want me here."
May you like
He nodded with fierce seriousness.
"I do."
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