Chapter 12: The Truth Beneath the Lies
The locked office became a prison.
But Samantha barely noticed.
Because the paper in her hand had changed everything.
Your father lied.
She stared at the words.
Her father.
The man who had returned after twenty years.
The man who apologized.
The man who claimed he tried to save her.
Could he have lied too?
Charlotte watched her carefully.
“Samantha…”
She didn’t respond.
The room felt smaller.
Every person she trusted had carried secrets.
Every truth came with another hidden lie.
Finally, Charlotte found a way to open the old window.
They escaped into the garden.
But Samantha didn’t leave.
Not immediately.
She stood outside the office.
Thinking.
Then she said:
“I need to talk to him.””
Charlotte knew exactly who she meant.
“Thomas?””
Samantha nodded.
Thomas was waiting at the hospital.
When he saw Samantha enter, he smiled.
But the smile disappeared when he saw her expression.
“What happened?””
Samantha placed the paper on the table.
Thomas read it.
His face changed.
“Where did you get this?””
“Victoria.””
Silence.
Then Samantha asked:
“Did you lie to me?””
Thomas looked hurt.
“About what?””
“The night my mother died.””
Thomas looked away.
That was enough.
Samantha felt her chest tighten.
“You did.””
Thomas closed his eyes.
“There are things I didn’t tell you.””
“Why?””
“Because I wanted to protect you.””
She shook her head.
“No.””
Her voice became stronger.
“You wanted to protect yourself.””
Thomas looked at her.
The accusation hurt.
But he didn’t deny it.
“What happened that night?””
Thomas remained silent.
“Tell me.””
Finally, he whispered:
“I saw someone leave the room.””
“Who?””
Thomas looked at the floor.
“Olivia.””
Samantha froze.
“Charlotte said that too.””
Thomas looked surprised.
“Charlotte knows?””
Samantha nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell anyone?””
Thomas’s face filled with pain.
“Because Olivia wasn’t alone.””
“Who was with her?””
Thomas hesitated.
Then answered:
“Victoria’s father.””
Samantha frowned.
“Her father?””
Thomas nodded.
“Your grandfather’s business partner.””
The pieces began connecting.
“He was involved?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
Thomas looked at her.
“They wanted control of the Hayes empire.””
Samantha sat down.
“So Victoria wasn’t working alone.””
“No.””
Thomas looked at her.
“She had someone teaching her.””
Samantha felt sick.
“Who?””
Thomas looked toward the window.
“Someone who knew exactly how power worked.””
Then Thomas said something that shocked her.
“Someone inside the Hayes family.””
That evening, Alexander found Samantha near the ocean.
She stood alone, watching the waves.
“You know.””
She didn’t turn.
“Yes.””
Alexander approached.
“About Thomas?””
“And about Olivia.””
Alexander became quiet.
Samantha looked at him.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“I didn’t know.””
She studied him.
“Do you?””
Alexander looked away.
That small movement answered everything.
“You do.””
Alexander sighed.
“My grandfather suspected.””
“Suspected what?””
“That Olivia knew more than she admitted.””
Samantha laughed sadly.
“Everyone knew.””
She looked toward the mansion.
“Everyone except me.””
Alexander stepped closer.
“I’m sorry.””
Samantha shook her head.
“I don’t need apologies anymore.””
The words hurt him.
“I need honesty.””
Alexander nodded.
“Then I’ll give you that.””
He took out his phone.
Opened a file.
And showed her a message.
From an unknown sender.
The same sender who had been contacting Samantha.
But this message was different.
It was sent to Alexander.
Three years ago.
The words were simple.
If you want to know who destroyed your family, follow the girl with the Collins name.
Samantha stared.
“Why didn’t you show me this?””
“Because I didn’t know who the girl was.””
A cold feeling moved through her.
“Until now.””
Alexander nodded.
“Yes.””
The ocean wind grew stronger.
Then Samantha’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
No one spoke.
Only breathing.
Then a familiar voice whispered:
“Samantha…”
She froze.
Because she recognized the voice.
It belonged to someone who should never have been able to call her.
Someone who was supposed to be dead.
Then the voice said:
“I need to tell you what really happened the night your mother died.””
The call ended.
Samantha stared at the screen.
Alexander looked at her.
“Who was it?””
Her face turned pale.
May you like
And she whispered:
“Eleanor.””
