Chapter 10: The Truth Thomas Buried
Claire placed the photograph on the table.
Nobody touched it.
Nobody spoke.
Because everyone already understood.
The truth was coming.
And once it arrived, there was no going back.
I picked up the photo.
Thomas stood in front of our house.
Beside him was a person I recognized immediately.
Me.
But something was wrong.
The date printed in the corner was from six months before our divorce.
I looked at Claire.
“What is this?””
She smiled.
“You don’t remember?””
“No.””
“That’s the problem.””
A cold feeling moved through me.
“What are you talking about?””
Claire walked closer.
“Thomas didn’t leave you because he stopped loving you.””
I stared.
“He left because he was trying to protect you.””
My throat tightened.
“From what?””
“From the truth.””
Maya stepped forward.
“Stop speaking in riddles.””
Claire looked at her.
“You’re just like your father.””
“I’ll take that as a compliment.””
For the first time, Claire looked annoyed.
Good.
I needed her angry.
I needed her to make a mistake.
“You were there the night Dad died,” Maya said.
Claire’s expression changed.
“Yes.””
The room went silent.
“You were with him.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Claire looked at me.
“Because Thomas found out what you did.””
My heart stopped.
“What I did?””
I laughed.
“That’s impossible.””
Claire shook her head.
“You really don’t remember.””
The words hit harder than any accusation.
I looked at Ethan.
He looked away.
“Ethan?””
He whispered:
“I was going to tell you.””
“Tell me what?””
Claire answered.
“Your divorce wasn’t caused by Thomas.””
I felt dizzy.
“Yes, it was.””
“No.””
She stepped closer.
“Your divorce happened because Thomas discovered you were being used.””
“Used by who?””
She pointed at the photo.
“By someone you trusted.””
I looked at Maya.
Then Ethan.
Then Mrs. Patterson.
Nobody spoke.
Claire reached into her bag again.
This time she pulled out a file.
She opened it.
Inside were documents.
Bank transfers.
Contracts.
My name was everywhere.
I couldn’t breathe.
“What is this?””
Claire’s voice softened.
“Thomas discovered that your identity had been used to create fake companies.””
I shook my head.
“No.””
“He thought Daniel was responsible.””
“Wasn’t he?””
“Yes.””
“Then why are you blaming me?””
Claire looked at me sadly.
“Because Daniel didn’t create the companies.””
She slid one document toward me.
At the bottom was a signature.
My signature.
Except I had never signed it.
“Someone forged your name.””
My mind raced.
“Who?””
Claire looked at Ethan.
Then at Maya.
Then back at me.
“The same person who convinced Thomas to hide evidence.””
A noise came from upstairs.
Everyone turned.
The basement door moved.
Someone else was there.
Claire smiled.
“You see?””
My blood ran cold.
“He always arrives late.””
The door opened.
A man stepped inside.
Daniel Voss.
But he wasn’t looking at Claire.
He was looking at me.
Then he said:
“Renee, you need to know the truth.””
He took a breath.
“Your husband wasn’t investigating us.””
May you like
A pause.
“He was investigating you.””
