Chapter 7 - THE NIGHT HER FATHER SOLD HER
My father discovered the investigation three days later.
He summoned me to his office.
I entered with trembling hands.
He stood behind his desk.
Vanessa and Celeste sat nearby.
My youngest older sister, Margot, stood by the window.
Nobody smiled.
My father held up a copy of my mother's letter.
“Where did you get this?”
I froze.
He had searched my room.
I swallowed.
“It belonged to Mother.”
His face hardened.
“You had no right.”
I stared.
“No right?”
He slammed the letter onto the desk.
“You have no idea what you've started.”
I stepped back.
He continued.
“William Ashford is not a man you can manipulate.”
“I haven't manipulated anyone.”
My father laughed bitterly.
“Don't pretend you're innocent.”
My eyes filled.
“I just wanted to know about my mother.”
For a moment, something flickered across his face.
Then vanished.
He opened a drawer.
Removed a document.
And pushed it toward me.
“Sign.”
I looked down.
It was a declaration relinquishing claims to certain family assets.
My stomach tightened.
“No.”
His face changed.
“Clare.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
He leaned forward.
“You live in my house.”
“I know.”
“You eat my food.”
“I know.”
“You owe me everything.”
Tears filled my eyes.
Then I whispered, “Maybe that's what you wanted me to believe.”
He stared.
For the first time, my father seemed genuinely afraid of me.
May you like
Not because I was powerful.
But because I had stopped obeying.
