Chapter 37 - THE CHAPEL BELOW THE SEAClara traveled to the island with Andrew, Naomi, Daniel, Helena, and Julian.
Thomas remained at Bellemont to protect the sanctuary. Catherine monitored the archive. Claire and Hannah stayed with the mothers and children.
Patricia protested until Clara reminded her that someone needed to keep the torn gown safe.
Patricia answered, “I caused the first tear. I will decide when it leaves my hands.”
She came too.
The island chapel stood on black cliffs above an angry sea.
No guards greeted them.
Inside, seven empty cradles surrounded an altar made from white stone.
Patricia unfolded the gown across the altar.
Ultraviolet light revealed the stitched map.
A section of lace aligned with grooves in the stone.
The altar opened.
Cold air rose from below.
They descended into a cylindrical facility built inside the island’s rock. Windows looked into the ocean, where dark water pressed against reinforced glass.
The lowest chamber contained hundreds of storage tanks.
Embryos.
Genetic samples.
Identity records.
Children reduced to future legal possibilities.
Andrew found a case marked with his name.
Inside were signatures authorizing genetic storage.
One belonged to Richard.
The other appeared to be Andrew’s.
Daniel examined the date.
“You were twelve.”
Andrew stared at the document.
“My father signed my adult consent before I was old enough to understand the word.”
Clara found her own file.
Rose had collected genetic material from a childhood surgery, not merely from the wedding ring.
The newborn had been planned years before Clara met Andrew.
Their relationship had not created Rose’s opportunity.
Rose had built their relationship to complete an existing design.
A voice sounded behind them.
“You always arrive at the truth after it becomes irreversible.”
Beatrice stood on the upper platform with armed guards.
Rose was not beside her.
Naomi raised her weapon.
“Where is she?”
Beatrice smiled.
“Rose believes Clara should inherit the system. I believe inheritance is the disease.”
“Then why protect it?” Clara asked.
“I am not protecting it.”
Beatrice held up a detonator.
Explosives had been attached to the storage tanks.
“If the archive cannot be controlled, no one will possess the bloodlines.”
Julian stepped forward.
“There are thousands of potential lives in this room.”
“There are thousands of future wars.”
“You sound like Rose.”
“No. Rose worships continuity. I believe in endings.”
Beatrice pressed the first switch.
A blast tore through the upper corridor.
Seawater began spraying through fractured glass.
Naomi’s team exchanged fire with the guards.
Daniel pulled Helena behind a tank. Patricia covered the gown with her body as debris fell around them.
Clara ran toward the central control station.
The facility offered two emergency options.
Seal the embryo chamber, trapping everyone inside.
Or flood the chamber while opening the evacuation shaft.
Andrew reached her.
“Seal it.”
“We’ll be trapped.”
“The samples survive.”
“That’s what Rose would choose.”
Another explosion shook the chamber.
Water rose around their ankles.
Clara selected evacuation.
The storage system began destroying itself as the escape shaft opened.
Andrew stared at her.
“You’re letting the samples die.”
“I’m saving the living people in this room.”
They moved toward the shaft.
Beatrice remained on the upper platform, bleeding from one shoulder.
“You destroyed your child’s brothers and sisters,” she shouted.
“No,” Clara answered. “You created genetic material without consent. Do not call that family to make me obey.”
Beatrice raised her weapon.
A shot rang out.
Helena had fired first.
Beatrice fell over the railing and disappeared into the rising water.
The group entered the evacuation shaft.
Daniel remained behind to hold the damaged door open.
“Move!” he shouted.
The mechanism began closing.
Clara reached for him, but Naomi pulled her upward.
The door sealed with Daniel still inside.
Seconds later, the underground chamber flooded completely.
They emerged through a tunnel near the island’s northern shore.
Patricia still held the gown.
Andrew counted the survivors.
Daniel was missing.
So was Helena.
Clara looked back toward the chapel.
A boat was leaving the opposite side of the island.
At its wheel stood Rose.
Beside her sat Helena.
And behind them, wrapped in a silver emergency blanket, was Daniel.
May you like
None of them appeared to be prisoners.
👉 Clara escaped Beatrice’s destruction of the island facility, but Daniel and Helena departed willingly—or seemingly willingly—with Rose.
