Chapter 2 - The LocketRichard did not return to the party.
He carried Caleb into his study, wrapped him in a blanket, and locked the door behind them.
“Did Grandma put this in your backpack?” he asked.
Caleb nodded.
“She said Mom gave it to her.”
Richard opened the locket.
Inside was a tiny key and a folded note.
The handwriting belonged to Elena.
Richard had not seen it in six years—not since the night she died in a car accident.
He unfolded it with trembling hands.
If Caleb is old enough to read this, Margaret has already tried to take what belongs to him. Trust no one in this house until you find the blue box.
Richard read it twice.
Caleb stared at him.
“Is Mom talking about Grandma?”
Richard wanted to say no.
He wanted to protect his son from the truth.
But the locked storage room had already done too much damage.
“I don’t know yet,” he said. “But I’m going to find out.”
At the party, Margaret stood by the cake table pretending to look worried.
“Has anyone seen Caleb?” she asked.
Richard entered holding Caleb’s hand.
The room went quiet.
Margaret’s smile faded when she saw the locket in his hand.
“Where did you get that?” she asked.
Caleb moved behind Richard’s leg.
“You put it in my bag.”
Margaret’s face tightened.
“That belonged to Elena. She had no right to leave it for him.”
Richard stepped closer.
“No right?”
Margaret looked around at the guests.
“This is a family matter.”
Richard’s voice stayed low.
“You locked my son in a storage room.”
She tried to speak.
He held up the locket.
“And now I want to know what the blue box is.”
For the first time, Margaret looked afraid.
Then Richard’s brother, Daniel, dropped his champagne glass.
May you like
It shattered across the marble floor.
Because he knew exactly what Elena’s note meant.
Related Stories
