The House on the Cliff
Chapter 11 - The House on the Cliff
Dominic sat behind a massive desk.
Lily stood near the window.
When Ethan entered, both turned.
"You lied to us again," Lily told Dominic.
The old man smiled.
"I simply wanted you both here."
Ethan stepped forward.
"Why did you do it?"
Dominic didn't pretend not to understand.
He said Sarah had been twenty-two and foolish.
Ethan was broke, reckless, and surrounded by dangerous people.
"I saved my niece."
"You stole her life."
"I protected her."
"You stole my daughter."
Dominic's smile disappeared.
"You would have ruined them both."
Lily finally spoke.
"Was the property the real reason?"
Dominic looked at her.
Then Ethan knew.
It had always been about money.
Dominic admitted Sarah's father planned to leave control of the family land to Sarah and her future husband.
Ethan's presence threatened everything Dominic wanted.
So he manufactured a crisis.
He threatened Ethan with false criminal charges.
He convinced Sarah that leaving was the only way to save him.
Then Dominic intercepted her letters.
"I gave her a comfortable life."
"You gave her a prison," Lily said.
Dominic leaned back.
"You think your mother was innocent?"
He opened a drawer.
May you like
"There is something about Sarah neither of you knows."
Then he placed a signed document on the desk.
