Chapter 14 - THE MOTHER IN THE SHADOWS
Camille met Evelyn at an old farmhouse outside Nashville.
She expected an elderly woman.
Instead, Evelyn looked elegant.
Healthy.
Calm.
Alive.
Camille stared at her.
“You're alive.”
Evelyn nodded.
“I am.”
“You let me believe you were dead.”
“I had to.”
“Why?”
“Because your father wanted you safe.”
Camille laughed through tears.
“Everyone keeps saying that.”
Evelyn reached for her hand.
“Your father wasn't innocent.”
“I know.”
“He made terrible choices.”
“I know.”
“But he tried to undo them.”
Evelyn revealed the final secret.
The Meridian Trust wasn't created to hide money.
It was created to dismantle the criminal network.
David and Camille's father had been preparing to expose everyone.
But someone betrayed them.
Thomas discovered the plan.
He threatened Evelyn.
Then David was poisoned.
Camille's father disappeared.
And Evelyn went into hiding.
“Why didn't you come back?”
“Because they threatened you.”
“Who?”
Evelyn looked toward the road.
“Thomas.”
Camille's phone rang.
Andre.
“Where are you?”
She told him.
His voice became urgent.
“Leave now.”
“Why?”
“Thomas escaped custody.”
Camille froze.
Evelyn grabbed her arm.
“He found us.”
Headlights appeared outside.
Three black SUVs stopped.
Doors opened.
Men stepped out.
Andre shouted through the phone:
“Camille, run!”
The farmhouse windows shattered.
Evelyn pulled Camille toward the basement.
Then a man's voice echoed through the house.
“Camille!”
Thomas.
“Your family has been hiding from me for twenty years.”
His footsteps approached.
“But tonight, there's nowhere left to hide.”
Camille looked at her mother.
Evelyn opened a hidden door.
Behind it was a tunnel.
“Go.”
“What about you?”
“I've been running long enough.”
Evelyn pushed her through.
May you like
The door closed.
A second later, Camille heard a gunshot.
