Chapter 12 - THE SECOND BABY SHOWER
The mansion was empty.
Every table was gone.
The decorations were destroyed.
But one banner remained.
WELCOME, LITTLE ONE.
I stood beneath it.
Beatrice entered.
She carried no weapon.
“You came.”
“I came for my husband.”
She smiled.
“You still love him.”
“No.”
I paused.
“I love the man he could have been.”
Beatrice looked toward the staircase.
Julian appeared.
Free.
Alive.
He walked toward me.
“I’m sorry.”
I stared at him.
“You should be.”
“I know.”
“I may never forgive you.”
“I know.”
“But I don't hate you anymore.”
His eyes filled with tears.
Beatrice watched us.
Then she laughed.
“You sentimental fools.”
The FBI surrounded the mansion.
Mercer stepped forward.
“Beatrice Vance, you're under arrest.”
She didn't move.
Instead she looked at me.
“You think you've won?”
I answered:
“Yes.”
She smiled.
Then she dropped the final bomb.
“Ask your father who your real mother was.”
I turned.
My father stood behind me.
His face had gone white.
“Dad?”
He said nothing.
Beatrice laughed.
“She isn't your biological daughter.”
Silence.
My father closed his eyes.
Beatrice continued:
“Your mother was a Vance.”
My entire body froze.
I looked at him.
“Is that true?”
He nodded.
One tear fell down his cheek.
“Yes.”
I couldn't breathe.
My mother had been a Vance.
Which meant—
I was connected to the family I had spent years destroying.
Beatrice smiled.
“Welcome home, Clara.”
I stepped toward her.
“No.”
I looked her directly in the eyes.
May you like
“I'm not coming home.”
“You're leaving.”
