Chapter 6 - The Original Contract
Clara didn't go alone.
She knew better now.
She had spent too many years believing that family meant safety.
Evelyn drove her.
Mara stayed with Lily.
The old family property was nearly abandoned.
Clara remembered visiting it as a child.
Her father had called it the "summer house."
Now the windows were covered.
The yard was overgrown.
Her father stood near the front door.
He looked older than Clara remembered.
"You came."
Clara stopped several feet away.
"Where's Mom?"
"She doesn't know."
"You said you found the original contract."
Her father nodded.
"It's inside."
Evelyn remained beside Clara.
Her father looked at her.
"Who's she?"
"My lawyer."
He sighed.
"Good."
They entered.
The house smelled of dust.
Her father led them upstairs.
He opened a locked room.
Inside was an old filing cabinet.
He pulled out a folder.
"This is everything."
Clara opened it.
The original contract was there.
Not a copy.
The signatures were clear.
Gregory.
Her mother.
Her father.
Clara's name appeared throughout the agreement.
She read slowly.
Then her face changed.
"What is this clause?"
Her father sat down.
"It was your mother's idea."
"Tell me."
He looked away.
"She wanted to make sure you couldn't leave Gregory without losing everything."
Clara stared.
"Everything?"
"Your trust."
"That was mine."
"I know."
"What else?"
He looked at her.
"Your house."
Clara's stomach dropped.
"My house?"
"Gregory transferred the property into the trust."
"But I thought it belonged to me."
"It did."
"Then how could they—"
"Your mother signed documents."
Clara couldn't finish the sentence.
Her father whispered:
"She thought she was protecting you."
Clara's eyes filled with tears.
"By trapping me?"
He said nothing.
Clara turned another page.
There was a handwritten note.
Her mother's handwriting.
Clara recognized it immediately.
If Clara leaves, Gregory must be convinced she is unstable.
Clara froze.
Evelyn took the page.
"That's enough."
"No."
Clara shook her head.
"I need to see everything."
She turned the page.
There were instructions.
Financial pressure.
Social isolation.
Control of communications.
And one final line.
If necessary, use Lily.
Clara's hands began shaking.
"They were going to use my daughter?"
Her father covered his face.
"I didn't know about that part."
"You signed the contract."
"I know."
"You signed it."
"I was afraid."
"Of Gregory?"
Her father looked at her.
"Of your mother."
Silence filled the room.
Clara suddenly understood the photograph.
Her father hadn't been trying to control her.
He had been trying to escape.
"Why didn't you help me earlier?"
"Because your mother controlled the accounts."
He swallowed.
"She told me if I spoke, she'd make sure you lost Lily."
Clara closed her eyes.
For years, her parents had appeared united.
They weren't.
They were trapped in their own arrangement.
But that didn't excuse what they had done.
Her father opened another drawer.
"There is one more thing."
He pulled out a small envelope.
"This came from Gregory."
Clara opened it.
Inside was a copy of a bank statement.
A payment.
$10,000.
But the date was yesterday.
Clara looked up.
"He's still paying you?"
Her father shook his head.
"No."
"Then who received it?"
He pointed to the account number.
Clara recognized it.
Her mother's account.
Her father whispered:
"She has been taking the money without me."
Evelyn immediately took photographs of the documents.
Then her phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
"Who?"
She listened.
Then looked at Clara.
"Your mother."
Clara's heart raced.
Evelyn handed her the phone.
Clara answered.
"Mom?"
Her mother's voice was quiet.
"Where are you?"
Clara didn't answer.
Her mother continued.
"I know you found the contract."
Clara froze.
"How?"
"Because your father isn't the only person who has been afraid."
"What do you want?"
Her mother sighed.
"I want to tell you the truth."
"Then tell me."
Another pause.
"Gregory wasn't the one who started the payments."
Clara's stomach tightened.
"Who was?"
Her mother whispered:
"I was."
The call ended.
Clara stared at the phone.
Then Evelyn's phone rang.
She answered.
Her face changed immediately.
"Clara, we need to leave."
"Why?"
Evelyn looked toward the window.
"Because someone just arrived."
Clara turned.
May you like
A black SUV had stopped outside.
And Gregory was getting out.
