Chapter 8 - The Father’s Last Secret
Nora confronted Richard in a warehouse by the river.
Arthur wanted to come.
She refused.
“This is my family.”
Arthur finally agreed.
But he stationed security nearby.
Richard looked older than she remembered.
His hair was gray.
His face exhausted.
“You came.”
“You knew.”
Richard nodded.
“About the infertility?”
“Yes.”
“About Mom?”
“Yes.”
“About Arthur's wife?”
Richard closed his eyes.
“Yes.”
Nora slapped him.
He didn't defend himself.
“You ruined my life.”
“I know.”
“You let me believe I was broken.”
“I thought I was saving you.”
“By making me hate myself?”
Richard's voice cracked.
“Your mother had been recruiting girls since before you were born.”
“I discovered it when you were sixteen.”
“You were next.”
Nora stared.
“I couldn't get you out.”
“So you made me useless.”
“Yes.”
“You could have told me.”
“I was afraid you'd tell her.”
Nora's eyes burned.
“You didn't trust your own daughter.”
“I didn't trust anyone.”
Richard handed her an envelope.
Inside was a photograph.
A young Nora.
Standing beside Arthur's wife.
Nora stared.
“I've seen her before.”
Richard nodded.
“When?”
“When you were twelve.”
He explained.
Arthur's wife had secretly met Nora because she knew what Diane was planning.
She had promised to protect her.
But Daniel discovered the meeting.
He threatened Nora.
Arthur's wife disappeared to keep Nora alive.
Richard had been trying to protect her ever since.
Badly.
Cruelly.
But genuinely.
Nora looked at the photograph.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because the truth would have made you a target.”
“I'm already a target.”
Richard nodded.
“I know.”
A gunshot shattered the window.
Richard dropped.
Nora screamed.
Security rushed in.
Arthur appeared seconds later.
He knelt beside Richard.
Blood spread across his shirt.
Richard grabbed Nora's hand.
“Your mother…”
He struggled to breathe.
“She has Daniel.”
Nora froze.
“Who?”
“Arthur's wife.”
Richard's eyes closed.
“She's alive.”
Arthur stared.
“Where?”
Richard whispered one final word.
“Montreal.”
Then he died.
Arthur stood.
His expression was no longer human.
“We're going to Montreal.”
Nora grabbed his hand.
“No.”
Arthur looked at her.
“We're going together.”
He shook his head.
“It's too dangerous.”
“So is losing another family.”
Arthur stared at her.
She continued.
“You said you needed someone who stays.”
A tear slid down her cheek.
“So stay with me.”
Arthur pulled her into his arms.
This time, he didn't hesitate.
The flight to Montreal was arranged within hours.
But before they landed, Nora received a message.
A photograph.
Arthur's wife was sitting in a chair.
Alive.
And beside her stood Diane.
The message contained one sentence.
BRING NORA. COME ALONE.
Arthur looked at the photograph.
Then at Nora.
“They want you.”
Nora nodded.
“I know.”
“I'm not letting you go.”
She squeezed his hand.
“Then we change the rules.”
For the first time, Arthur smiled.
“That's my girl.”
Nora raised an eyebrow.
“Don't call me that.”
His smile grew.
“Yes, ma'am.”
May you like
They landed in Montreal.
And walked straight into a trap.
