Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN CLAIRE USED TO BE
Daniel read Sarah’s letter three times.
Each time, the same line hurt more.
If Claire Bennett ever enters Lily’s life, it means I was right to be afraid.
Below it, Sarah had written another sentence.
Do not confront her until you know who sent her.
Daniel looked toward the front door.
He had already confronted Claire.
If Sarah was right, someone else was behind her.
He searched Claire’s closet.
Most of it looked normal.
Shoes.
Winter coats.
Boxes of receipts.
Then he found a passport sleeve taped beneath the bottom drawer.
Inside was an expired driver’s license.
CLAIRE BENNETT.
The photograph was unmistakable.
Behind the license was an employee badge from Sarah’s foundation.
Daniel sat on the floor.
Their entire relationship replayed in his mind.
The coffee shop where they “accidentally” met.
The way Claire already knew he took his coffee black.
The way she guessed Lily’s favorite book on their second date.
The way she said it felt like fate.
It had not been fate.
It had been research.
His phone rang.
Claire.
Daniel answered but said nothing.
“I know you found the letter.”
His skin went cold.
“How?”
“You’re not safe in that house.”
“From you?”
A long silence followed.
“Daniel, I did terrible things.”
“You hurt Lily.”
“I know.”
“You stole from her.”
“I know.”
“Then tell me who sent you.”
Claire’s breathing became uneven.
“I can’t.”
“Why?”
“Because he killed Sarah.”
Daniel stood so quickly the closet door slammed against the wall.
“What did you say?”
Claire began crying.
“I didn’t know he was going to do it.”
“Who?”
Before she answered, Daniel heard a crash downstairs.
Lily screamed.
He dropped the phone and ran.
The front door was open.
May you like
A man in black was running across the lawn.
And Sarah’s letter was gone.
