Chapter 10: The Sister Who Carried the Secret
The room went silent after Evelyn’s confession.
Not the normal kind of silence.
Not the uncomfortable pause after an argument.
This was the kind of silence that happens when something breaks and nobody knows how to pick up the pieces.
My aunt stood in the doorway.
My father looked at her like he had seen a ghost.
And Patrice…
Patrice looked relieved.
That was the part I couldn’t understand.
She looked relieved.
“Say it again,” I whispered.
Evelyn lowered her eyes.
“I betrayed your mother.””
My fingers tightened around the folder.
“How?””
She walked into the office slowly.
Every step seemed heavier than the last.
“I lied to her.””
“About what?””
“About Patrice.””
I looked at my stepmother.
She looked away.
“You told my mother Patrice was dangerous.””
Evelyn nodded.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
She sat down in the chair beside the desk.
“Because I believed it.””
I laughed quietly.
A broken sound.
“So everyone just believed things. Everyone made decisions. Everyone kept secrets. And I’m the one who gets to discover my entire family was built on lies?””
Nobody answered.
Because nobody could.
Evelyn looked at the journal in my hands.
“Your mother and I were never close after our parents died.””
I frowned.
“What?””
“She thought I was irresponsible. I thought she judged me.””
“That doesn’t explain anything.””
“No.””
Evelyn looked down.
“It doesn’t.””
She took a breath.
“When your mother got sick, I came back into her life. At first, I wanted to help.””
“But?””
“But I was angry.””
The confession sounded painful.
“Your mother had everything I didn’t. A loving husband. A daughter who adored her. A stable life.””
I stared.
“You were jealous?””
Evelyn nodded.
“Yes.””
The honesty shocked me.
“But jealousy doesn’t make you destroy someone.””
“No.””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“But desperation does.””
The room changed.
I felt it.
Because that was the first time anyone admitted there was more behind the story.
“What did you do?””
Evelyn looked at Patrice.
“I found out Patrice had financial problems before she married Leon.””
Patrice’s face tightened.
“I didn’t know it would go this far.””
I turned.
“What financial problems?””
Patrice looked uncomfortable.
“I had debt.””
“How much?””
“That doesn’t matter.””
“It matters.””
She looked at me.
“I was struggling.””
My father spoke quietly.
“She never asked me for money.””
Patrice nodded.
“Because I was ashamed.””
Evelyn continued.
“I found the records. I thought I had proof.””
“Proof of what?””
“That Patrice was using your father.””
I looked at Patrice.
“And you weren’t?””
“No.””
Her answer was immediate.
“I loved him.””
The words surprised me.
Because I had spent months seeing her as the villain in my mother’s story.
But villains rarely look this tired.
They rarely look this human.
Evelyn continued.
“I sent anonymous messages to your mother.””
My chest tightened.
“You were the one?””
“Yes.””
“About Patrice?””
“Yes.””
The room became unbearable.
“You made my mother suspicious of someone innocent.””
Evelyn nodded.
“I did.””
“Why?””
She looked at me.
“Because I wanted her to see what I saw.””
“What did you see?””
“That she would never trust anyone again.””
I frowned.
“What?””
Evelyn wiped her eyes.
“After our parents died, your mother became obsessed with protecting what she built. She believed everyone wanted something from her.””
“That’s not true.””
“Maybe not.””
She looked at the floor.
“But I believed it.””
The confession hurt more because it was honest.
No excuses.
No blame.
Just regret.
“Then why did my mother think Patrice betrayed her?””
Evelyn looked at Patrice.
“Because Patrice lied.””
Everyone froze.
Patrice closed her eyes.
There it was.
The missing piece.
“You did lie.””
Patrice looked at me.
“Yes.””
My heart sank.
“About what?””
She sat down.
“I lied about the night your mother died.””
The room became still.
My father whispered:
“Patrice.””
“I have to.””
She looked at me.
“I was there.””
My body went cold.
“You said you left before the ambulance came.””
“I did.””
“Then what are you not telling me?””
Patrice swallowed.
“Your mother gave me something.””
“What?””
“A flash drive.””
Nobody moved.
“What was on it?””
“I don’t know.””
I stared.
“You don’t know?””
“She told me not to open it.””
“Why give it to you?””
Patrice looked at the floor.
“Because she thought I was the only person who could protect you.””
That sentence didn’t make sense.
My mother hated Patrice.
Didn’t she?
Or did I only believe that because everyone told me?
“She trusted you?””
Patrice nodded.
“At the end.””
My father looked devastated.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Patrice looked at him.
“Because your wife told me not to.””
The words hit him.
“She knew you wouldn’t believe her.””
My father stepped back.
“Why?””
Patrice looked at him.
“Because you had already chosen what story you wanted.””
Nobody spoke.
Then I asked:
“Where is the flash drive?””
Patrice looked at me.
And I knew before she answered.
It wasn’t here.
“Someone took it.””
My heart dropped.
“When?””
“Three weeks ago.””
“The same time you changed the locks?””
She nodded.
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I found out someone was searching this house.””
I looked at the locked office.
The damaged door.
The threats.
Everything connected.
“Who took it?””
Patrice hesitated.
Then she whispered:
“I think I know.””
“Who?””
She looked at my father.
And my father’s face changed.
“Leon’s brother.””
I froze.
“My uncle Marcus?””
Nobody answered.
Then my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
May you like
One new message.
*Ask your father why Marcus disappeared the night your mother died.*