Chapter 18 - THE FINAL RECORDING
The police continued reviewing the evidence.
But Clara still had one more thing.
Something she had hidden.
Something she promised Sofia’s mother she would reveal only when Sofia was safe.
Clara reached into her bag.
She removed a small memory card.
Eleanor immediately recognized it.
Her expression changed.
“No.”
Clara looked at her.
“You remember this.”
The police officer took the memory card.
“What is it?”
Clara answered.
“The original recording.”
Daniel looked confused.
“Original?”
Clara nodded.
“The recording Eleanor thought she destroyed.”
The memory card was placed into a laptop.
Everyone gathered around.
The screen showed a date.
A date from fifteen years ago.
The video started.
Sofia’s mother appeared.
She looked frightened.
But determined.
“If anyone is watching this…”
She took a deep breath.
“Please protect Sofia.”
Sofia immediately started crying.
Her mother continued.
“I discovered what Eleanor did.”
A pause.
“But the worst part is not the money.”
The guests listened.
“It is what she did to families.”
The video changed.
Documents appeared.
Names.
Photos.
Evidence.
Then came the final sentence.
The one that destroyed Eleanor completely.
“Eleanor did not just remove Daniel from Sofia’s life.”
A pause.
“She also planned to take Sofia away permanently.”
The room erupted.
Sofia froze.
Her father immediately held her.
The bride stared at Eleanor.
“You wanted to take her?”
Eleanor finally lost control.
“That was not what happened.”
Clara stepped forward.
“Then explain the custody papers.”
The police officer looked at the documents.
His face changed.
“They are signed.”
Daniel looked at Eleanor.
“You were going to erase my daughter from my life.”
May you like
Eleanor remained silent.
Because there was nothing left to explain.
