Chapter 4 - The Ghost of the Past
Daniel drove like a maniac back to the suburbs, his heart hammering against his ribs. When he pulled into the driveway of his estate, he saw a familiar silver SUV parked by the curb.
He scrambled out of the car and burst through the front door. The living room was tense. Standing by the staircase was Claire.
She looked different. Her hair was cut shorter, sharper. The exhausted, defeated look she had worn during their final months of marriage was gone, replaced by a cold, radiant strength. Beside her stood two large men in civilian clothes, and huddled next to them was Evelyn, wrapped in a thick blanket, holding a small suitcase.
Vanessa was standing at the top of the stairs, screaming down at them. "This is trespassing! You have no right to be in this house! Claire, you bitter bitch, get out before I call the cops!"
"Call them," Claire said, her voice calm, slicing through Vanessa’s hysterics like a scalpel. "I have a standing medical power of attorney for Evelyn, signed three years ago before you ever slithered into this family. It was never revoked during the divorce. Legally, I am responsible for her medical welfare. And looking at the bruise on her face, I am removing her from a hostile environment."
Daniel stepped into the light of the chandelier. "Claire..."
Claire turned her head. Her eyes met his—eyes that used to look at him with unconditional love, now filled with nothing but profound pity. "Daniel."
"I... I am so sorry," Daniel choked out, taking a step toward her.
Claire raised a hand, stopping him dead in his tracks. "Save it, Daniel. I’m not doing this for you. I’m doing this because Evelyn loved me like a daughter, and I won't let your mistakes destroy her. We are leaving."
Vanessa ran down the stairs, grabbing Daniel’s arm. "Daniel! Tell them to leave! Tell this crazy woman to get out of our house!"
Daniel looked down at Vanessa’s hand on his arm. Slowly, deliberately, he peeled her fingers off him. "She’s right, Vanessa. My mother is leaving with Claire."
Vanessa gasped, stepping back. "You’re taking her side? After everything she did to ruin us?"
"We'll discuss it in the morning," Daniel said, his voice entirely devoid of emotion. "Go to bed, Vanessa."
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Claire didn't wait to watch the drama unfold. She guided Evelyn out the door. Before she left, she looked back at Daniel one last time. "The investigator Marcus hired... he told me what she’s doing to your company. You deserve to lose the money, Daniel. But don't let her take your father’s name down with you."
The door clicked shut, leaving Daniel alone in the echoing hallway with a monster.
