Chapter 5 - The Night the Mansion Went Silent
The photograph changed everything.
Sofia was alive.
Marcus traced the grocery store to a small town near Lake George.
Dominic wanted to leave immediately.
Rachel stopped him.
“Think.”
“My sister is alive.”
“And somebody wants you running straight toward her.”
Dominic turned sharply.
Rachel didn't retreat.
“Victor left that photograph where you'd find it.”
Marcus nodded.
“She’s right.”
Dominic hated hearing it.
But he listened.
Instead of chasing the location, Marcus quietly contacted the store owner.
The answer arrived an hour later.
The woman called herself Sophie Bell.
She lived nearby.
Dominic went alone except for Marcus and Rachel.
They found the house near sunset.
Dominic stood outside the door.
For the first time since Rachel met him, he looked uncertain.
“Knock,” she whispered.
He did.
The door opened.
A woman in her early forties stared at him.
Neither spoke.
Then she whispered,
“Dom?”
Dominic’s control broke.
“Sofia.”
She covered her mouth.
He stepped forward.
His sister threw her arms around him.
Rachel turned away to give them privacy.
Later, Sofia told the truth.
Victor had threatened Anna Bennett after Sofia gathered evidence against him. Sofia agreed to vanish because she believed leaving would protect everyone.
“Why didn't you contact me?” Dominic asked.
“Because Victor had people around you.”
“Nathan?”
“Not originally. Someone else.”
“Who?”
Sofia shook her head.
“I never knew.”
Rachel asked,
“What about my mother?”
Sofia’s expression softened.
“Anna saved my life.”
Rachel looked down.
“She never told me.”
“She wanted you far away from us.”
Dominic glanced at Rachel.
That plan had clearly failed.
Sofia agreed to return and testify about Victor's financial crimes.
But when they returned to Vale House, something was wrong.
Every light in the west wing was off.
Marcus touched his earpiece.
No response.
“Dominic.”
“I know.”
Rachel looked toward the silent hallway.
Then she heard it.
Music.
Very faint.
Coming from the locked music room.
Dominic opened the doors.
The old recorder sat on the piano.
Playing Sofia's song.
Beside it was a note.
You should have left the past buried.
Marcus immediately secured the mansion.
Sofia stared at the note.
“Victor knows I'm here.”
Dominic looked around the room.
“No.”
Rachel understood.
“He knew before we arrived.”
Dominic nodded.
“Which means Nathan wasn't the only person.”
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The real insider was still inside Vale House.
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