Chapter 9 - The Housekeeper’s Secret
Ethan went left.
Hannah went right.
Caleb whispered for her to stop.
She didn't.
Noah was crying downstairs.
Jack was upstairs.
Richard had separated them deliberately.
Ethan found Noah inside the ballroom.
The baby lay safely inside a portable crib.
Ethan lifted him.
A recorded voice began playing.
Richard.
“One child found. One remaining.”
Ethan's rage became terrifyingly calm.
He handed Noah to Caleb.
“Get him outside.”
Hannah was already climbing the stairs.
She entered the bridal suite.
Jack lay on the bed.
She rushed forward.
The door slammed behind her.
Richard emerged from behind a curtain.
“You're Claire's sister.”
Hannah froze.
“You knew.”
“Of course.”
He held a gun.
“You were the one variable Brooke failed to notice.”
Hannah moved slowly between Richard and Jack.
“Take me.”
Richard almost smiled.
“You think this is a movie?”
“No.”
Her voice trembled.
“I think you're afraid.”
His smile vanished.
“Of a housekeeper?”
“Of Claire.”
Richard's face changed.
Hannah reached into her apron pocket.
“I have something she left me.”
“What?”
“A recording.”
Richard stared.
Hannah had lied.
But he believed her.
That hesitation gave Ethan enough time.
He struck Richard from behind.
The gun slid across the floor.
Hannah grabbed Jack.
Richard tackled Ethan.
They crashed into a dressing table.
Glass shattered.
Richard reached for the gun.
Thomas appeared in the doorway.
He kicked it away.
Police rushed upstairs seconds later.
Richard Sloan was arrested.
The twins were safe.
Again.
Later, at the hospital, Ethan confronted Hannah.
“You lied about having Claire's recording.”
Hannah looked at him.
“No.”
Ethan stopped.
She opened her phone.
“I just lied about having it with me.”
Claire had sent Hannah an audio file the morning she went into labor.
Hannah had never listened to the entire recording.
She had been too devastated after Claire's death.
Together they played it.
Claire's voice filled the room.
“Hannah, if you're hearing this, I need you to know why I came back.”
Claire spoke about Ethan.
About the babies.
About Daniel.
About Margaret.
Then she said something neither expected.
“I found proof about Ethan's trust. Noah and Jack aren't the only heirs Daniel is afraid of.”
Ethan looked at Hannah.
The recording continued.
“There is another Hale heir.”
Thomas stood.
“What?”
Claire's voice became quieter.
“And I know where she is.”
The recording ended.
Hannah stared at the phone.
“She?”
Thomas looked terrified.
Ethan noticed.
“Dad.”
Thomas said nothing.
“Who is she?”
His father closed his eyes.
Then someone knocked.
Margaret Price stood outside in a wheelchair.
She had heard enough.
“I know,” she said.
Thomas turned toward her.
May you like
Margaret looked directly at Ethan.
“The other heir is Hannah.”
