Chapter 7 - CLARA’S SECOND MESSAGEFederal technicians recovered part of Clara’s tablet cloud backup.
One video.
Recorded twelve hours before she died.
Clara appeared on screen.
Hair messy.
Terrified.
But controlled.
“Alex.”
I stopped breathing.
“If you’re seeing this, something has gone wrong.”
Lily clutched my hand.
I almost turned it off.
I couldn't.
Clara continued:
“I found records connected to Vanguard.”
“I don't know how deep this goes.”
“I tried calling you.”
“They said your assignment could not be interrupted.”
Then:
“I don't believe them.”
My eyes filled.
She knew.
She continued.
“Derek came by twice.”
“He says I should stop.”
“Your mother says I'm being dramatic.”
Then Clara looked toward the door.
“If anything happens, trust Lily.”
Lily began crying.
I pulled her close.
Clara's final words:
“And Alex?”
She smiled.
Small.
Scared.
“Don't become them trying to avenge me.”
The video ended.
I sat completely still.
Miller looked away.
That sentence changed everything.
I had wanted Vance dead.
Wanted Derek dead before he died.
Wanted my mother to suffer.
Clara knew me.
May you like
She knew rage.
And somehow, before dying, she had asked me not to let her death turn me into another man who believed violence solved fear.
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