Chapter 2: The Daughter They Tried To Hide
The wedding was canceled within an hour.
Guests were sent home.
The beautiful decorations, the flowers, and the celebration that Claire had dreamed about for months suddenly became meaningless.
All she could think about was Lucas.
And the secret her family had buried.
Inside the mansion library, Claire placed the locket on the table.
Her father stood across from her.
Silent.
Defensive.
“You knew about him.”
Claire’s voice was calm.
But her eyes were filled with betrayal.
Richard looked away.
“I don’t know what you think you found—”
“Stop lying.”
The words shocked him.
Claire had never spoken to her father like that.
“This locket belonged to my mother.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“Your mother made mistakes.”
Claire stared at him.
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You made mistakes.”
Ethan stood beside her.
Supporting her without saying a word.
Richard finally sighed.
“The boy’s mother was Emma.”
Claire’s heart stopped.
“Emma was my mother’s sister.”
The truth finally came out.
Years ago, Emma had fallen in love with a man her wealthy family rejected.
When she became pregnant, Richard and Claire’s grandfather forced her to leave.
They threatened to destroy her life if she ever returned.
The family created a false story.
They told everyone Emma had left voluntarily.
But she didn’t.
She was forced away.
And before she disappeared, she left the locket with her newborn son.
Lucas.
Claire’s hands covered her mouth.
“So Lucas is…”
Richard nodded.
“Your cousin.”
The room went silent.
But Claire knew there was more.
“Why did my mother’s locket have a picture of him?”
Richard looked down.
“Because your mother tried to bring Emma back.”
Claire’s eyes widened.
“She knew?”
“She found out the truth before she died.”
A painful silence followed.
“She was going to expose everything.”
Claire looked at him.
“But she never did.”
Richard didn’t answer.
And that silence told her everything.
“My mother didn’t die peacefully, did she?”
Richard looked away.
Claire felt her heart breaking.
All her life, she believed her family protected her.
But they had protected a lie.
Suddenly, Lucas appeared at the doorway.
He was holding a small folded paper.
“Miss Claire?”
She turned.
The boy walked slowly toward her.
“My mom told me if I ever found you…”
His voice shook.
“I should give you this.”
Claire unfolded the paper.
Inside was a handwritten letter.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Her mother’s handwriting.
May you like
The first line destroyed her:
“Claire, if you are reading this, it means they failed to hide the truth forever.”
