THE WOMAN IN WHITE

Ava didn't sleep comfortably that night. The thoughts of where the donor came, filled her mind. 

“Lucas? He doesn't even know about my father's sickness.” She murmured.

She thought of the tension living with the both brothers under the same roof; it felt like walking on thin ice.

“Urrgh!”

She sat up from her bed looking at the moon from the slightly drawn curtain.

“Who would have sent the donor?” She bit her lips.“Why hide it?”

Her mind traveled back during dinner and Lucas's smile, he might have done something. 

She hated how much she wanted to ask Lucas directly, yet feared the answer. If he did it…was it goodwill or some kind of game?

“But how?” Her eyes narrowed. 

The next morning, Ethan had already left for work. When Ava came downstairs she wasn't surprised at all; he wore business and punctuality like a second skin.

But Lucas the Hale's family black sheep sat bothered on the couch sipping coffee. 

His eyes lifted towards Ava's direction he smiled. 

“Morning darl.” He teased her.

She ignored him, moving towards the kitchen direction. 

“I guess Ethan left early.” He followed her into the kitchen. “He's always hated sharing breakfast with people.”

She didn't respond, she felt he wasn't worthy of a reaction.

She grabbed a glass of water and walked out. Lucas stood there impressed on how much Ava has changed in years.

Lucas pulled out his phone and tapped on it as Ava was walking out. 

“Yeah…make sure it's done by tonight. No mistake.” He said, his voice low and sharp.

Ava stopped mid-step, her heart beating as she leaned against the kitchen. 

Her pulse quickened.

“Got it. No delays.” Lucas continued. He hung up and smiled to himself. Unaware Ava had been eavesdropping.

“Ready by tonight?” She muttered.

Lucas noticed her stares. “What?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Nothing,” she said quietly and hurried out of the kitchen.

Later that morning, at the company Ethan sat in his office with a heavy mind looking at the photo of him and Ava leaving the Mansion together. He had gotten it printed out and was studying it when Lucas barged in. 

“Do you really enjoy crossing people's boundaries?” Ethan said coldly, he didn't bother looking up. 

Lucas shut the door behind him. “It depends on whose boundaries I am crossing.”

Ethan finally raised his face. “You did it, didn't you? the boardroom photo?” 

“I'm flattered you think I have time for such things.” 

“Drop the damn act!” Ethan snarled. “You are the only one who stands to gain from humiliating me in front of the board members.”

Lucas smirked. “Gain? I have better ways to ruin you brother. The board isn't part of my plan.”

He clenched his fist, restraining himself from hitting Lucas. He stepped closer.

“The donor Lucas…that was you.”

Lucas tilted his head backward laughing, clapping his hands like a wild goose. 

“Why? Why did you do it?” Ethan demanded.

“Because her father was dying, Ethan!” Lucas replied. “I traced you both to the hospital.”

Fury flashed in Ethan's face. 

He fought hard to keep a clear expression. 

“You followed me?” He asked this time with a calm and reserving voice.

“Tsk…not you.” He shrugged. “Her…”

“You are playing dirty, Lucas. Do not involve her.”

Lucas grinned, slow and poisonous. 

“You should stop playing nice then, because I'm not planning on stopping.” He said and finally left.

Ethan said nothing, he stood there staring into nothingness. He hated the fact, Lucas had done the right first.

He has been defeated by his brother and they weren't even halfway through this battle. 

Meanwhile, at the mansion Helen had begun her early morning cleaning routine. 

She noticed at the far end of the shelf a loose panel of the lower shelf. 

She bent down and pulled it 

She found an old wooden box. Ancient and heavy. 

A single letter ‘H’ was carved on it.

She frowned. “What's this?”

She lifted the lid of the box and it creaked making a sound of something that hadn't been touched in decades.

Inside it she found photographs of the Hale family. Ethan's baby photo and that of Lucas and their parents as well. 

“Aww…” she moaned.

The last photo was at the bottom of the box, a picture of a woman dressed in a pale white gown. Her smile was bright and haunting; like she knew a secret the household had forgotten.

She flipped the back of the photo. An inscription was at the back of it.

“believed to be dead…Clarissa Hale.” She read it out loud. 

The name wasn't familiar to her. 

“She looks like one of the brothers.” She said, She didn't seem to figure it out.

Before she could put back the photo, a phone rang.

She answered quickly. “Yes, Mr Ethan?”

“Helen, I need you to restock the pantry and some groceries. Use my card.” Ethan's voice came through the phone. Cold and commanding.

“Of course sir.”

“I will send you a list, make sure not to miss a single thing.” He added.

The call ended. Helen's gaze still on the box wondering who ‘Clarissa Hale’ is and what made her to be dead. 

“Clarissa Hale.” She whispered but t

he name didn't seem to be ringing any bell in her head. 

She slid back the photo into the box, closed it tightly and took it with her.