Chapter 3 - THE MESSAGE CLAIRE LEFT BEHIND
Adrian refused to believe it.
Even while holding the note.
Even while seeing Madison’s terrified expression.
Because accepting the truth meant accepting something worse.
Claire had known.
Claire had been afraid.
And he ignored her warning.
“Where did this come from?” Adrian asked.
Nobody answered.
He looked at Madison.
“Did you know about this?”
Madison shook her head.
“No.”
“Then why are you scared?”
“I’m not.”
Her voice cracked.
Everyone heard it.
Adrian grabbed the flash drive.
“Get my laptop.”
Margaret appeared at the doorway.
“Adrian, stop this.”
He looked at his mother.
“Why?”
“Because you are destroying everything.”
“No.”
His voice became colder.
“Someone already destroyed something.”
Margaret looked away.
That small movement bothered him.
“Mom.”
She said nothing.
“Look at me.”
Slowly, Margaret raised her eyes.
For the first time…
Adrian saw fear in his mother’s face.
They moved downstairs into Adrian’s private office.
The engagement party was abandoned.
Guests whispered outside.
Security blocked the doors.
Nobody was allowed to leave.
Adrian connected the flash drive.
One file appeared.
CLAIRE_FINAL.
His hands froze.
Natalie covered her mouth.
“She made this?”
Adrian clicked the file.
Claire appeared on the screen.
Sitting in their bedroom.
Looking directly into the camera.
Her eyes were serious.
“Adrian.”
His breathing stopped.
“If you are watching this…”
Claire paused.
“Something happened to me.”
Madison looked away.
Claire continued.
“Do not trust anyone who tells you my death was an accident.”
The room became silent.
Adrian felt tears burning his eyes.
Claire looked exhausted.
Afraid.
“I found evidence that someone close to us has been manipulating my life.”
The video suddenly glitched.
Then Claire said something that made Adrian freeze.
“Madison is not who she says she is.”
The screen went black.
Nobody moved.
Then…
May you like
Madison whispered:
“She was wrong.”
