Chapter 6 - The Panic
The story broke the next morning.
LOCAL BUSINESSMAN ACCUSED IN DEADLY I-95 CRASH INVESTIGATION.
Then another headline appeared.
MILLER FAMILY CASE REVEALS ALLEGED INSURANCE FRAUD AND FINANCIAL CONSPIRACY.
My phone exploded.
News crews arrived outside my house.
Reporters shouted questions.
“Claire! Did your father know about the accident?”
“Did your family try to steal your settlement?”
“Are you planning to sue?”
I said nothing.
Then I saw something that made me stop.
A reporter held up a photograph.
It was Ethan.
Smiling.
Holding Noah.
Lily stood beside him.
My entire body went numb.
I walked away.
That afternoon, the foundation announced its first program.
Free child safety seats.
Emergency transportation assistance.
Road-safety education.
Financial support for families who lost loved ones in crashes.
We named it:
The Ethan, Lily & Noah Foundation.
The response was overwhelming.
Thousands donated.
People sent letters.
Parents told me my story had inspired them.
For the first time since the accident, I felt something other than grief.
Purpose.
Then my father called.
I almost didn't answer.
But I did.
His voice was shaking.
“Claire.”
“Where are you?”
“Please listen.”
“You killed my family.”
“I didn't.”
“You knew.”
“I didn't know they would be there.”
“You knew enough.”
Silence.
“Richard is dangerous.”
I laughed bitterly.
“So are you.”
“Claire, I need your help.”
I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
“Why?”
“Because Richard is coming for you.”
My heart stopped.
“What?”
“He knows about the foundation.”
“Let him come.”
“Claire, listen to me.”
“No.”
“You don't understand.”
I stared at the phone.
“You chose Melissa's birthday over my children's funeral.”
His voice broke.
“I made a terrible mistake.”
“No.”
I whispered:
“You made a choice.”
Then I hung up.
That night, security cameras caught a man near the foundation office.
Richard Hale.
He was holding a photograph.
My photograph.
May you like
And beneath it was a handwritten message:
You took everything from me. Now I'll take everything from you.
