Chapter 4: The Mother Who Was Never Dead
Richard couldn't breathe.
"My wife... Sophia... died in that accident."
The detectives exchanged uneasy glances.
The woman who had interrupted the gala slowly shook her head.
"No, Richard."
"She never died."
The words crashed through the ballroom like thunder.
For years, Richard had visited a grave engraved with Sophia's name.
He had cried there every birthday.
Every anniversary.
Every Christmas.
Now someone was telling him the grave held no truth.
The barefoot boy tightened his grip on Richard's hand.
"I've always had a mother," he whispered.
Richard's heart stopped.
"What did you say?"
The boy pulled a tiny silver necklace from beneath his shirt.
Inside the locket was a faded picture of a beautiful young woman smiling while holding a newborn baby.
Richard nearly collapsed.
It was Sophia.
Older than he remembered...
But unmistakably alive.
The detective revealed another photograph.
Sophia... standing outside a small farmhouse nearly eight years after the accident.
Richard stared at the date.
Impossible.
"If she's alive... why didn't she come home?"
The woman who had brought the police answered quietly.
"Because someone convinced her you wanted both of them dead."
The ballroom erupted in disbelief.
Richard looked toward Evelyn, now standing in handcuffs.
She smiled with terrifying satisfaction.
"I visited Sophia in the hospital before she woke up," Evelyn admitted.
"I told her you blamed her for the accident."
"I told her your lawyers were coming to take the baby away."
"I told her the safest thing she could do... was disappear forever."
Richard's knees gave out.
Every lie.
Every funeral.
Every lonely night...
Had been built by his own sister.
The boy wiped away his father's tears.
"Mom said you would never stop looking for us."
Richard hugged him tighter than he had ever held anyone.
"I never did," he whispered.
"But before the reunion could happen, another detective rushed into the ballroom.
"Sir!"
"We've just received a call."
"Someone broke into the farmhouse."
"They were looking for Sophia."
Richard's blood ran cold.
"Is she safe?"
The detective hesitated.
"We don't know."
"The neighbors found the front door wide open..."
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"...and there's blood on the kitchen floor."
To Be Continued...
