Chapter 8 - The Paternity Secret
Clara pounds her fists against the locked door, but it is made of solid oak.
The lights in the nursery suddenly flicker back on, despite the power being cut to the rest of the house.
A flat-screen television on the wall hums to life.
Vanessa's face appears on the screen, looking completely calm and perfectly composed.
"You are very brave, Clara, but you are incredibly stupid," Vanessa says through the speakers.
Clara glares at the screen, gripping the handgun tightly.
"Where is the baby, Vanessa?" Clara demands angrily.
Vanessa laughs softly.
"He is perfectly safe, far away from the monsters in this family," Vanessa replies.
Vanessa reveals that she knew Victor was manipulating Clara from the very beginning.
"Victor has been trying to murder Julian for years to inherit the company," Vanessa explains.
Clara shakes her head, confused by the shifting loyalties.
"But you forged the life insurance policies!" Clara argues.
Vanessa's expression turns completely serious.
"I forged them to create a paper trail proving Julian's life was in danger so the police would protect us," Vanessa admits.
Vanessa pushes a button on her end, and a hidden panel in the nursery wall slides open.
Inside the small, reinforced panic room sits the baby, sleeping peacefully in a high-tech incubator.
"I am not the villain here, Clara," Vanessa whispers.
"I pushed the stroller into the pool because I saw Victor's sniper laser aiming perfectly at the baby's chest."
Clara's entire reality shatters as she realizes Vanessa saved the child by pushing him out of the line of fire.
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Before Clara can apologize, a massive explosion rocks the entire mansion.
The heavy oak door of the nursery is blown completely off its hinges in a cloud of smoke and fire.
