The Woman in the Photograph
Chapter 02 - The Woman in the Photograph
The lock groaned under the first strike from the hallway.
Adrian pushed a chair beneath the handle, then turned to Evelyn. “The woman in that picture is Loretta Bennett. She was your mother’s business partner—and my father’s first wife.”
Evelyn stared at him. “Your father was married to her?”
“They built Vale Harbor together. When Loretta discovered he was moving money through false companies, she tried to expose him. Then she disappeared.”
The second strike splintered the frame.
Evelyn studied the photograph. Her mother was younger, smiling nervously beside Loretta in front of a bank.
“Why would my mother have this?”
“She helped Loretta hide the original ownership records,” Adrian said. “Your mother changed her name and left the city to keep the evidence safe.”
Evelyn’s stomach turned. “And you knew?”
“I knew part of it. I didn’t know the key still existed.”
Her phone stopped ringing and a voicemail appeared. Evelyn pressed play.
A calm male voice filled the room. “Ms. Carter, my name is Emmett Durant. I represented your mother. Lockbox Seven contains proof that half of Vale Harbor belonged to Loretta Bennett. Your mother was named trustee. After Loretta’s death, control passed to her legal heir. According to the sealed records, that heir is you.”
Evelyn nearly dropped the phone.
The truth became painfully clear. Gregory had welcomed her because marrying Adrian could place her inherited shares within the Vale family’s reach.
“Was our relationship part of this?” she asked.
“No,” Adrian said. “I met you before I knew who your mother was.”
“But you learned later.”
“Yes.”
“And you still proposed.”
“I proposed because I love you.”
The third strike cracked the door.
Evelyn backed away. “Love would have told me the truth.”
Adrian had no defense.
The door burst inward. Gregory entered first, followed by the attorneys. His tuxedo remained flawless, but the warmth from the ceremony was gone.
He looked at the brass key in Evelyn’s hand. “There it is.”
Gregory offered her a document and a pen. “Sign this transfer agreement, and today can remain a happy memory. Refuse, and every guest downstairs will hear that your mother stole from this family.”
Evelyn’s fear hardened into anger.
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Emmett’s voicemail continued: “One more warning. Lockbox Seven also contains a letter naming the person responsible for Loretta’s disappearance.”
For the first time, Gregory Vale looked afraid.
