Chapter 3 - The Table of Witnesses
Christmas Eve arrived under a sky the color of steel.
Boston had been transformed.
Garlands wrapped lampposts.
Storefronts glowed gold.
Snow covered sidewalks and softened the city into something almost peaceful.
I stood in front of our bedroom mirror and fastened a simple black dress.
Ethan had left two hours earlier.
According to his latest story, he needed to “check something at Logan.”
I knew he wasn't going to Logan.
The restaurant had confirmed his table.
7:30 p.m.
Harbor window.
Pink tulips.
Guest T.
Thirty-eight family members.
And me.
I had invited everyone without explaining why.
My aunt thought it was romantic.
Ethan's mother thought he was finally becoming generous.
My cousins thought they were about to experience the best Christmas dinner of their lives.
Only Megan knew something was wrong.
She arrived at our house at five.
“Claire.”
I turned around.
She looked nervous.
“You're really doing this?”
“Yes.”
“What if he doesn't come?”
“He will.”
“How do you know?”
“Because whatever he has planned, he's invested too much in it.”
Megan looked at the folder in my hand.
“What is that?”
“Everything.”
She didn't ask further.
We drove separately.
Harbor & Vine was exactly what the reservation photos had promised.
Dark wood.
Crystal glass.
Low golden lighting.
Huge windows overlooking the harbor.
The Christmas decorations were tasteful rather than extravagant.
A pianist played softly in the corner.
Our group took over nearly half the restaurant.
My aunt hugged me.
Grandma kissed my cheek.
Cousins argued about who would sit where.
Ethan's mother kept saying how thoughtful Ethan was.
I said nothing.
At 7:10, I checked my phone.
No message.
At 7:18, the restaurant manager approached me.
“Ms. Bennett?”
“Yes?”
“I wanted to confirm that all surrounding tables are prepared according to your request.”
“Thank you.”
He leaned closer.
“And the private table?”
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He handed me a small envelope.
“This was left by Mr. Cole.”
My heart stopped.
I opened it.
Inside was a handwritten card.
Claire,
I know you've probably seen more than I wanted you to see.
Please read this before you decide what you think you know.
I looked up.
The manager was still there.
“Did Ethan leave this today?”
“Yes.”
“Did he say anything else?”
“He asked that it be given to you only after the rest of your party arrived.”
I looked at the clock.
7:21.
That was when I realized Ethan knew I was investigating him.
My hands trembled as I unfolded the card.
Don't stop her from leaving.
That was all.
I stared at the words.
Then I heard the restaurant doors open.
Ethan walked in.
He wore a navy suit.
His hair was perfectly styled.
In one hand, he held a black gift box.
Behind him stood Tessa.
She looked exhausted.
Not happy.
Not excited.
Terrified.
Our eyes met.
Tessa stopped.
Ethan saw my family.
Thirty-eight people.
All staring at him.
His face went blank.
My aunt waved.
“Ethan! Merry Christmas!”
Nobody moved.
Ethan looked at me.
I smiled.
“Merry Christmas.”
He swallowed.
“What is this?”
“A family dinner.”
“You invited everyone.”
“You said dinner was fine.”
His gaze moved around the room.
His mother stood.
“What a surprise!”
Megan covered her mouth.
Tessa looked at Ethan.
“You never told me.”
He turned toward her.
“Tessa…”
“You said it would be private.”
“I know.”
She looked at me.
“I'm sorry.”
The room went silent.
My grandmother shifted uncomfortably.
My aunt whispered my name.
I stood.
“Don't apologize to me yet.”
Tessa stared.
“Claire…”
“Tell me why you're here.”
She looked at Ethan.
Then back at me.
“Because he told me tonight was the night everything would finally come out.”
Ethan shut his eyes.
“What exactly did he tell you?”
“That he was finally going to tell you the truth.”
My family erupted.
Not loudly.
Just whispers.
Questions.
Murmurs.
His mother looked at him with horror.
I stayed still.
“What truth?”
Tessa took a breath.
“The child.”
My heart stopped.
The restaurant seemed to disappear.
“What child?”
Tessa looked at Ethan.
He couldn't meet my eyes.
“Our daughter.”
Someone dropped a fork.
It struck the plate with a sharp sound.
My aunt gasped.
“Ethan has a daughter?”
Tessa nodded.
“She was born three years ago.”
I stared at Ethan.
“Three years.”
He nodded.
“You hid a child from me for three years?”
“It isn't what you think.”
I almost laughed.
“That is the worst sentence anyone can say after admitting they have a secret child.”
Tessa began crying.
“She isn't his.”
I froze.
Ethan looked at her.
“Tessa.”
“She's not.”
I turned to her.
“Then whose child is she?”
Tessa shook her head.
“That's why we're all in danger.”
The room went silent.
Ethan's mother slowly sat down.
Megan whispered, “What is happening?”
Ethan finally walked toward me.
“Claire, I need you to trust me.”
“I stopped doing that a long time ago.”
He looked at the black box in his hand.
Then he opened it.
Inside was not a ring.
It was a tiny silver key.
And a photograph.
A little girl with curly brown hair.
On the back of the photo was a date.
December 24.
Three years ago.
Tessa stepped forward.
“That child belongs to your husband's brother.”
My eyes widened.
Ethan's younger brother, Daniel, had died two years earlier.
Car accident.
At least, that's what everyone had told me.
I looked at Ethan.
“What does Daniel have to do with this?”
Ethan's face hardened.
“Everything.”
That was when the restaurant lights flickered.
The manager glanced toward the entrance.
A man in a black coat had walked inside.
Ethan saw him.
His expression changed instantly.
“Everyone stay seated.”
The man smiled.
Then he looked directly at Tessa.
May you like
“You should have stayed hidden.”
The screaming started almost immediately.
