Chapter 9 - The Truth About My Mother’s Last NightI couldn't breathe.
“What does that mean?”
Denise cried silently.
“Your father didn't leave because he was dangerous.”
“Then why?”
“Because he discovered what Eleanor had done.”
My father stepped forward.
“I found out she had secretly transferred half the family assets into your names.”
“That isn't a crime.”
“It was if the money had been acquired through the foundation.”
I stared.
“What foundation?”
“The Eleanor Hayes Charitable Trust.”
My mother had spent years telling us it was empty.
She had lied.
Again.
Ethan opened another folder.
“Your mother used the foundation as a legal shield.”
“For what?”
“To protect the family assets from Marcus.”
I looked at the documents.
There were property deeds.
Trust documents.
Insurance policies.
Everything was legal.
My mother had been preparing for war.
And no one had told me.
“She knew Marcus would come after us?”
“Yes,” Ethan said.
“Why didn't she leave?”
“Because you were children.”
I felt my throat close.
Paige whispered:
“So she sacrificed Dad?”
“No,” my father said.
“She sacrificed herself.”
He told us what had happened eighteen years earlier.
Marcus had discovered the trust.
He threatened to expose the stolen money from the foundation.
My father wanted to run.
Mom refused.
He said he would take the twins.
Mom told him if he took one step toward us, she would send every document to the police.
They separated.
But my father didn't die.
He disappeared under a false identity.
Mom told the children he was dead.
And Paige believed her.
I did too.
Until seven years ago.
Until Paige found him.
“Why did he come back then?”
Ethan answered.
“Because Marcus found out.”
My father nodded.
“He knew one of you existed under a different identity.”
I looked at Paige.
“Which one?”
“You.”
I froze.
“Marcus thought you were dead.”
“Why?”
“Because Eleanor changed the records.”
“And if he discovered I was alive?”
“He could access the trust.”
I looked at the white dress.
“The trap wasn't for Paige.”
“No.”
My father looked at me.
“It was for Marcus.”
I felt cold.
“Then why did Mom need Paige to wear it?”
“She didn't.”
I frowned.
“What?”
“She needed Paige to believe she was the target.”
I looked at Ethan.
He nodded slowly.
“That way she'd bring the real person into the open.”
“The person helping her.”
Aunt Denise closed her eyes.
“You finally understand.”
“Marcus.”
“No.”
Denise opened her eyes.
“He isn't the real mastermind.”
My father stared at her.
“Who is?”
Denise looked toward the church doors.
A woman walked inside.
Elegant.
Gray hair.
Pearls.
A black coat.
My mother’s older sister.
Aunt Margaret.
I had not seen her in fourteen years.
She smiled.
Then said:
“Your mother was always very clever.”
May you like
My blood turned to ice.
“But not clever enough.”
Related Stories
