As I stepped out of the room, I immediately called for Claire’s parents. I told them that Claire was ready. Abraham called a doctor. Slowly, I turned the doorknob and opened the door. When we entered the room, we saw Claire smiling and raising both her hands. Her parents and brother quickly approached her, embracing her tightly. I just stood there, watching them, feeling my chest tighten.
While I was observing them, I saw Claire’s arms, which had been wrapped around her father’s back, fall lifelessly. My eyes widened, and my lips parted.
“Claire!” I shouted her name loudly.
Everyone was startled. When they looked at her, they realized that Claire’s eyes were already closed.
They all cried out her name. Two doctors arrived shortly after.
“Save my daughter!” Claire’s mother screamed.
I still couldn’t move from where I stood, staring at the doctors as they tried to revive Claire. When the doctor shook his head, it felt like cold water was poured over me. I felt frozen, unable to speak at the sight before my eyes.
“Why?” I asked myself.
ARLO
I’ve tried calling Lily’s number several times, but it’s still turned off. I couldn’t calm down as I drove. I called Alex, and he told me that Lily had gone out for a walk and to buy something. However, she still hadn’t returned home.
I drove as fast as I could to get back to the house. When I arrived at the gate of the mansion, I quickly got out of my car. I yelled at Alex and Donald.
“What are you doing? How could you neglect your jobs!” I shouted angrily.
They didn’t answer. I entered the house and went up to our room. I opened the closet and drawers one by one. Lily’s belongings were still there.
Lily loves me, and she wouldn’t just leave me without a reason. She didn’t leave me, and I know she would never do that to me. She’ll come back. She’ll come back to me. I thought she might be at her sister Olivia’s place. I grabbed my phone and quickly dialed Olivia’s number.
“Hello, Olivia, it’s me, Arlo. Is Lily there with you?” I asked.
“She’s not here,” Olivia replied.
I said goodbye to her and called one of my friends because I was panicking and confused about what to do. They were the only ones who could help me in this situation. I still hadn’t gotten over the sudden death of Claire and the truths I learned about her over the past few years. I called Leo.
I told him everything that was happening, including Lily’s sudden disappearance. I wasn’t calm as I spoke to him. After our conversation, I went downstairs. I saw Alex and Nikki, and I asked them one by one, but even they couldn’t believe what was happening.
“Maybe she just went somewhere to think and be alone. You know Lily has family issues. Calm down, she’ll come back,” Alex said to me.
“What if she doesn’t, Alex?” I asked again.
“ she’ll come back. Think positively. By the way, where did you come from? Weren’t you and Lily supposed to be together?” Alex asked. I didn’t answer his question immediately.
I took a deep breath and looked at Alex, who was waiting for my response.
“I left her earlier, Alex, because Claire needed me,” I said softly.
“Did you tell her where you were going?”
“I can’t remember, Alex. I was in a rush, but maybe I mentioned Claire’s name. I’m not sure, but I told her I would explain everything when I got back.”
Alex covered her mouth, looking shocked at what I said.
“Oh, I didn’t mean to, but I mentioned Claire to her the other day. Please forgive me,” Alex said.
“Alex, don’t ask for forgiveness. It’s not your fault,” I assured him.
Alex couldn’t believe it when I told her what had happened to Claire.
“I’m sorry,” he said again. I held her arm briefly and left her.
I sat down, grabbed my phone, and called my private investigator. I instructed him to do everything he could to find Lily and gave him all the details about her.
“Sir, the police have arrived,” one of the staff informed me.
“Let them in,” I ordered.
