Chapter 23 - THE LETTER FROM PARIS
In December, a heavy snowfall wrapped Manhattan in a quiet, white winter wonderland.
Clara sat in her new office at the Miller Foundation in Midtown, decorating a small Christmas tree by the window.
Her executive secretary walked into the room, holding an international express envelope stamped with a Paris postmark.
"This just arrived via diplomatic courier for you, Miss Clara," the secretary reported before leaving the office.
Clara opened the envelope with a silver letter opener, pulling out a handwritten letter on fine cream parchment.
The delicate, elegant handwriting made Clara’s heart skip a beat as she recognized her mother’s distinct script.
"My dearest Clara,
If you are reading this, it means you have defeated Eleanor and reclaimed what belonged to your father.
I know you hate me for what I did twenty-six years ago... but I never took that money for myself.
I used every dollar of Eleanor’s bribe to hire the investigators who built the secret file you used to destroy her.
I am living in Paris under the name Sarah Laurent... I am dying of cancer, and I only wish to see your face once more before I close my eyes forever.
Love always,
May you like
Your Mother"
***
