Clara’s expression was grave as she listened to Evelyn’s voice on the other end of the line. I could only hear faint murmurs, but the urgency in Clara’s face told me everything I needed to know—it was bad.
“What happened?” Clara asked, pacing the living room. She pressed the phone closer to her ear, her free hand clenched tightly at her side. “Where are you now?”
I sat frozen on the couch, watching as Clara’s face shifted between concern and frustration. Finally, she stopped pacing and let out a sharp breath. “Stay where you are. We’re coming to you.”
Clara ended the call and turned to me. Her jaw was tight, her usual calm demeanor replaced by something sharper. “Evelyn’s safe for now, but she’s being followed. We need to move fast.”
I stood quickly, the tension in the air making my body hum with anxiety. “Where is she?”
“She’s holed up in a small motel about twenty miles from here,” Clara said, grabbing her jacket. “She thinks Richard’s people are closing in on her.”
I hesitated, fear creeping into my chest. “Are we walking into a trap?”
Clara met my gaze, her expression softening slightly. “We don’t have a choice, Bela. Evelyn has information we need, and she’s risking everything to help us. I won’t leave her to fend for herself.”
Her determination was infectious, and despite my fear, I nodded. “Then let’s go.”
The drive was tense. The road stretched out before us like an endless tunnel, the dark trees on either side casting long shadows that seemed to reach for the car. Clara’s grip on the steering wheel was tight, her knuckles pale against the dark leather.
“What did Evelyn say?” I asked, breaking the silence. My voice was small, but I needed to know.
“She didn’t give many details,” Clara replied, her eyes fixed on the road. “But she said she has proof that Richard’s been manipulating things for years. She also hinted at something about your mother... something he did to her.”
My stomach churned. “What do you think she meant?”
Clara shook her head. “I don’t know. But whatever it is, it’s enough to make Richard desperate.”
The thought of my father’s desperation sent a chill down my spine. He was clearly capable of manipulation and intimidation—what else might he do to get what he wanted?
We arrived at the motel a little past midnight. It was the kind of place you’d drive past without a second glance—dimly lit, with a flickering neon sign that read VACANCY. The parking lot was nearly empty, save for a few scattered cars.
Clara parked near the entrance, scanning the area before getting out. “Stay close to me,” she said, her voice firm. “If anything feels off, we’re leaving immediately.”
I nodded, following her as we made our way to the room number Evelyn had given her: 107. Clara knocked lightly, her body positioned protectively in front of me.
The door opened a crack, revealing Evelyn’s wary face. Her eyes darted around before she stepped aside, allowing us to enter.
The room was small and sparse, with a single bed and a chair by the window. Papers were scattered across the table, and Evelyn gestured for us to sit. She looked exhausted, dark circles under her eyes and her hair disheveled.
“Thank God you’re here,” she said, sinking into the chair. “I wasn’t sure I’d make it through the night.”
“What’s going on, Evelyn?” Clara asked, her tone sharp but not unkind. “What did you find?”
Evelyn exhaled heavily, running a hand through her hair. “Richard’s been planning this for years. He’s not just after Bela to reconnect or make amends. He needs her—for her inheritance.”
I frowned, confusion knotting my brow. “Inheritance? What inheritance?”
Evelyn glanced at Clara before answering. “Your mother, Alyssa, came from a wealthy family. When she left Richard, she took her share of the family fortune with her and put it in a trust for you. Richard wants control of that money, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get it.”
My heart sank. “So... all of this? The letters, the threats, him pretending to care—it’s all about money?”
“It’s more than that,” Evelyn said, leaning forward. “The trust is tied to your name, Bela. Without your consent, he can’t touch it. And if you refuse... well, let’s just say he’s not the kind of man to take no for an answer.”
Clara clenched her fists. “So he’s trying to manipulate Bela into trusting him, hoping she’ll sign over the trust without realizing what’s at stake.”
“Exactly,” Evelyn confirmed. “And if that doesn’t work, he might escalate. That’s why you need to be careful.”
Before we could respond, a loud knock echoed through the room, making all three of us jump. Clara motioned for Evelyn and me to stay quiet as she approached the door, peering through the peephole.
“It’s Simon,” she whispered, her voice tight.
My breath caught in my throat. “How did he find us?”
Clara didn’t answer. She motioned for Evelyn to grab the papers from the table and for me to follow her to the bathroom. “Stay here,” she instructed, closing the door behind us.
We listened as Clara opened the front door, her voice firm. “What do you want?”
Simon’s reply was calm, almost casual. “Richard sent me to deliver a message. You’re making this harder than it needs to be, Clara.”
“I don’t care what Richard wants,” Clara snapped. “You’re not getting anywhere near Bela.”
There was a pause, and then Simon’s tone shifted, becoming colder. “This is your last warning. Either you cooperate, or things will get much worse for everyone involved.”
The sound of the door closing signaled that Simon had left, but the tension in the room was suffocating. Clara re-entered the bathroom, her expression grim. “We need to leave. Now.”
“What about the papers?” Evelyn asked, clutching them tightly.
“We’ll figure that out later,” Clara said. “Right now, we need to get somewhere safe.”
As we hurried to the car, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Simon’s words were more than a threat—they were a promise. And I couldn’t help but wonder what he, or Richard, would do next.