When nothing goes right, turn left

Hidden Truths and Half Answers

Veronica sat on the floor of her room, the stolen folder spread out before her. Clark and Bella sat across from her, both still shaken from their escape.

"We have to be careful," Bella whispered.

Veronica barely heard her. Her fingers brushed over the pages, scanning for something—anything—that would make sense of this mess.

The first few papers were familiar: financial records, property transfers, "Smith's name intertwined with Hilary's."

But then—

A document that "shouldn't exist."

"Oh, my God," Clark muttered, eyes locked onto the paper.

Veronica's pulse quickened.

It was an "agreement."

Not between Smith and Hilary.

Between "Hilary and an unknown party."

No names. Just initials. R.T.

Bella's voice was barely audible. "What the hell is this?"

Clark pointed to a section underlined in ink. "In exchange for classified materials, the subject will be relocated."

Veronica's blood ran cold.

Relocated.

Like her mother moving her to this town.

"She didn't just bring me here," Veronica whispered. "She made a deal."

And suddenly, nothing in her life felt like "her choice" anymore.

---

Veronica stood in the kitchen, her heartbeat pounding against her ribs.

Hilary was at the counter, sipping her coffee, perfectly composed—as if nothing in their world had cracked open. As if she wasn't part of some "hidden agreement."

"Why did you bring me here?"Veronica asked. No hesitation, no buildup. Just the question hanging heavy in the air.

Hilary didn't look at her. "We've been over this."

"No, we haven't." Veronica stepped closer, her voice sharper now. "You made a deal. You signed an agreement. For me."

Hilary exhaled slowly, setting her cup down.

"You've been going through my things," she said, her voice unreadable.

Veronica didn't deny it.

Hilary finally turned to face her. "Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?"

"You mean "your mess?" Veronica shot back.

Hilary's expression hardened. "You don't want this fight, Veronica."

Veronica clenched her fists."Then tell me the truth."

Hilary stared at her for a long moment.

"The truth won't change anything."

"It changes everything," Veronica hissed.

Hilary sighed."Then go ahead. Dig all you want. But you're not going to like what you find."

And just like that, Veronica knew. 'Hilary would never give her the answers she needed.'

She had to find them herself.

And somehow, she knew the murder case was the key.