The room exploded into whispers.
Vanessa stepped back.
“No… no, that’s impossible.”
Lauren slowly lifted her eyes.
For the first time all night, she looked directly at Ethan.
And his heart nearly stopped.
Because those eyes—
He knew those eyes.
Three years ago, Clara disappeared after a terrible car accident.
The police found her car destroyed near a cliff.
No body.
No answers.
Only grief.
Ethan had searched for months.
Then Vanessa came into his life.
Helped him through the pain.
Helped raise Noah.
Helped him move on.
Or so he thought.
Lauren’s hands trembled as she touched Noah’s face.
“I didn’t leave you,” she whispered.
Ethan felt the blood drain from his face.
“What are you saying?”
Tears filled Lauren’s eyes.
“I lost my memory after the accident.”
Silence.
“I remembered everything two weeks ago.”
Vanessa suddenly screamed—
“STOP LYING!”
Everyone jumped.
Lauren looked at her.
Then slowly reached into her pocket.
And pulled out a small silver necklace.
Ethan froze.
Because he knew exactly what it was.
Inside was a photo.
A photo only Clara had.
Lauren opened it.
Vanessa’s face lost all color.
Because standing behind Clara in the photo…
was Vanessa.
Standing beside the damaged car.
On the night Clara disappeared.
