She just didn't know where she'd gone wrong . Meanwhile , Olivia got home from her private school and , out of habit , immediately looked for Clara . The empty house felt strange . She clutched the painting that had won her an award and wandered through the living room . She'd won first place in the art competition , and every time she won something , her mom was always so excited . She'd just wait for her mom to get back 1/3 But she waited all evening , and neither her mother nor her father came home . The next morning , she found Zane sitting on the sofa , his phone on his lap , his brow deeply furrowed . " Dad ! Is Mom back yet ? " Zane looked up and saw a sleepy - eyed Olivia holding her painting . " I got first place again . I have to show Mom ! " " Qh , and I've been craving Mom's blueberry pancakes . They're way better than Aunt Hailey's ! " Her innocent words were a gut punch . A strange fear flooded his heart . He grabbed his car keys and bolted for the door . " Something is wrong . Something is deeply , fucking wrong , " he muttered , his mind racing . Something must have happened to Clara . When Zane sped to the family home , he nearly collided with Clara's father and Ethan , who were rushing frantically out of the house . " Dad , Ethan ! " Zane stopped them . " Have you heard from Clara ? " His father's eyes were red . " Nothing ! " " She signed the papers and vanished . We thought she just needed time to cool off , but it's been four days ! " " Zane , I think something happened to Clara . We need to call the police . " Zane felt the blood freeze in his veins . " I have a friend on the force . Let's go now . " In the waiting room of the police station , the three men waited , the air thick with an unbearable tension . The panic and dread in their hearts were magnified in the sterile silence . Zane's hands were clenched into tight fists , his knuckles white . I must be overthinking this . Clara's just angry . She's angry about that damned engagement plan . When she comes back , we can fix everything . I'll call off the engagement with Hailey . I'll make it up to Clara . There's still time . Clara is so good , so forgiving . Of course she'll forgive me . The door opened Zane's friend , Officer Martinez , walked in , his face grim . What is it ? " Zane jumped to his feet . " Did you find her ? " Martinez looked at him , his eyes filled with pity . " Zane … is Clara your wife ? " " Of course ! " " Zane … we have a record here . A death certificate for Clara Vance was filed in King County four days ago . Her mother was the one who filed it , listed as her primary emergency contact . Why are you just now reporting her missing ? " 2/3 The world stopped .