The morning after the memorial felt like a fresh start. The manor, once heavy with the weight of unspoken secrets, seemed to breathe easier. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, illuminating rooms that had long been shrouded in gloom. Sophia wandered through the halls, marveling at the transformation.
But despite the newfound peace, there was a lingering unease she couldn't shake. The discovery of James's remains and the revelations about Eleanor's tragic life had brought a sense of closure, but there were still unanswered questions.
Sophia found Liam in the library, engrossed in a collection of old newspapers they had borrowed from the local archive. His brow furrowed as he sifted through the yellowed pages.
"Still digging?" she asked, leaning against the doorframe.
Liam looked up and smiled. "There's always more to uncover. I've been trying to find out what happened to Eleanor's family after her death. Did they pay for what they did, or did they just go on living like nothing happened?"
Sophia stepped closer, intrigued. "And?"
"Not much so far," Liam admitted. "But I did find this." He handed her an article, the headline reading: Harrington Heir Found Dead—Foul Play Suspected.
Sophia's eyes widened as she scanned the text. "Henry Harrington was murdered?"
Liam nodded. "Two years after Eleanor's death. His body was found in the same lake where James's remains were discovered."
Sophia's pulse quickened. "Do you think it was revenge? Maybe someone knew what he did to James and Eleanor."
Liam shrugged. "It's possible. But the article says the case was never solved. Officially, it was ruled an accident, but the rumors suggest otherwise."
Sophia's mind raced. "What if this explains why the manor feels haunted even now? Eleanor's pain wasn't the only thing left unresolved. Maybe her father's actions brought more darkness to this place than we realized."
Liam leaned back in his chair, his expression thoughtful. "If we're going to understand the full story, we'll need to keep digging. Something tells me the Harringtons left more behind than just a tragic love story."
---
Later that day, Sophia decided to explore the east wing of the manor, the part of the house where Eleanor had been confined. Now that the air seemed lighter, she hoped to uncover more clues about what had happened during those final, lonely years.
The corridor was quiet, the wooden floors creaking softly beneath her feet. Most of the rooms were empty, their furnishings long removed or decayed. But as Sophia stepped into what must have been Eleanor's bedroom, she felt an inexplicable chill.
The room was small but elegant, with faded floral wallpaper and a large, dusty mirror mounted above the fireplace. A single chair sat by the window, its upholstery torn and faded. Sophia's gaze fell on the floorboards near the bed, where a faint outline of a trapdoor caught her eye.
Her heart raced as she knelt to inspect it. Using a pocketknife, she pried the door open, revealing a hidden compartment beneath the floor. Inside, she found a small wooden box.
Sophia lifted the box carefully, her fingers trembling as she opened it. Inside were a stack of letters tied with a silk ribbon, a delicate hairbrush, and a pressed magnolia flower.
The letters were addressed to Eleanor, but the handwriting wasn't James's. They were from Henry Harrington.
Sophia's brow furrowed as she unfolded the first letter and began to read:
> Eleanor,
I know you will never forgive me for what I have done. But I did it for the family, for the legacy your mother and I built. You must understand that love is fleeting, but power is eternal. You will see that one day.
Sophia's stomach turned. She read through more letters, each one a mixture of justification and desperation. It was clear that Henry had been haunted by his actions, but he had never admitted guilt, only regret that Eleanor hadn't seen things his way.
"This man destroyed her life and still tried to convince her it was for her own good," Sophia muttered.
She closed the box and stood, her resolve strengthening. Henry Harrington's story wasn't over, and she intended to make sure the truth came to light.
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