Chapter 7 - THE PARISH BASEMENT
The brass key opened a hidden basement beneath St. Catherine’s.
Inside were birth records, trust ledgers, and videos from Eleanor’s fertility program.
We found Rose locked inside a storage room.
Alive.
Bruised.
Weak.
Her first question was about the girls.
Lucy stood in the doorway.
Rose reached for her.
Lucy did not move.
“You left us at your funeral.”
“I thought the plan would protect you.”
“It didn’t.”
Rose accepted that without excuses.
She explained that Evelyn arranged the mortuary switch. Arthur discovered the plan and partnered with Vanessa. Claire threatened to expose them.
Vale sedated Claire. The dose weakened her but did not immediately kill her.
Arthur decided to bury Claire as Rose and complete the transfer.
Evelyn escaped with Rose, then locked her away so she could seize the trust evidence.
Every adult used the same deception.
Then Arthur disappeared from police surveillance.
His ankle monitor was found beside Rose’s grave.
He left one note:
I’M TAKING BACK MY DAUGHTER.
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Only one girl was biologically his.
Read Chapter 8 to discover which daughter Arthur planned to keep.
