Chapter 6 - THE SAPPHIRE WASN'T A BROOCHMargaret opened the box again.
The sapphire rose looked ordinary.
Howard took it carefully.
“This isn't a brooch.”
He examined the back.
“There.”
A tiny screw.
He removed it.
The sapphire separated from the metal frame.
Inside was a microscopic metal capsule.
Sarah stared.
“What is that?”
Howard smiled grimly.
“A key.”
Richard suddenly rushed forward.
“Give it to me.”
David blocked him.
“No.”
Richard stopped.
For the first time, father and son faced each other as enemies.
“What did you do, Dad?”
Richard's eyes were cold.
“Move.”
“No.”
Richard's voice dropped.
“You have no idea what you're protecting.”
David shook his head.
“I know I'm protecting my wife.”
Sarah looked at him.
“David…”
He took her hand.
“Whatever happens, I'm with you.”
Howard studied the key.
“This opens a safety deposit box.”
Eleanor whispered:
“Catherine's?”
“Yes.”
Richard turned toward the exit.
Howard called out:
“Running won't help.”
Richard stopped.
“There are copies of everything.”
Richard looked back.
“You think you're going to destroy me?”
Howard answered:
“No.”
He pointed toward Sarah.
“You destroyed yourself twenty-eight years ago.”
The police arrived moments later.
Someone had called them during the confrontation.
Richard was taken aside for questioning.
The wedding guests stood frozen.
Then David's mother walked to the microphone.
She looked at the hundreds of guests.
“There will be no wedding today.”
Sarah's face fell.
David squeezed her hand.
“That doesn't mean there won't be a marriage.”
She looked at him.
“What?”
David smiled.
“I don't care about this wedding.”
He turned toward the guests.
“I care about the woman I love.”
Then he walked to Margaret.
He took her hand.
“And the woman who made her who she is.”
Margaret shook her head.
“David, don't.”
He smiled.
“I mean it.”
He turned to Sarah.
“Your mother should be beside you.”
Sarah began crying.
But before they could move, Howard's phone rang.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He listened.
Then he looked at Sarah.
“The safety deposit box has already been opened.”
Sarah froze.
“By whom?”
May you like
Howard's face became pale.
“Your biological mother.”
