Chapter 9 - Michael Tells Claire Why He Stayed Gone
Michael had not been held captive for thirty years.
That truth was harder than a dramatic rescue story.
Thomas took him away at Robert’s request.
For the first year, Michael wanted to come home.
Thomas told him Robert would hurt Evelyn and Claire if he returned.
At fourteen, Michael believed him.
At eighteen, he could have contacted Claire.
He did not.
By then Thomas had convinced him the Hayes family was under financial
investigation and Michael might be implicated.
At twenty-five, Michael learned much of that was false.
Still, he stayed away.
Shame had replaced fear.
Then years passed.
Claire stared at him.
“You let me think you were dead.”
“Yes.”
“Mom died not knowing where you were.”
Michael’s eyes filled.
“I know.”
No explanation repaired that.
He had been manipulated as a child.
He also made adult choices later.
Both were true.
Michael had spent years quietly investigating Robert and Samuel.
He discovered Northstar Development still existed.
Its current owner was not Robert, who had died fifteen years earlier.
It belonged to someone Claire knew.
Her mother’s longtime attorney.
Jonathan Pierce.
The same man who handled Evelyn’s estate.
May you like
The same man who told Claire the hidden room was structurally
inaccessible and should never be opened.
