Chapter 10: The Sister I Trusted
I didn’t remember hanging up the phone.
One second, Evelyn’s voice was filling the room.
The next, there was only silence.
A terrible, heavy silence.
I stared at Daniel.
“Say something.””
He didn’t.
That was when my heart started breaking.
Not because of what Evelyn said.
Because Daniel’s silence made it possible.
“Daniel.””
He finally looked at me.
“Sarah, please listen to me.””
I stepped back.
“No.””
My voice shook.
“No more asking me to listen after you’ve spent months making decisions behind my back.””
He reached for my hand.
I pulled away.
“Did you and Lily have something?””
His eyes widened.
“What?””
“Answer me.””
“No.””
The answer came quickly.
Too quickly.
But this time, I needed more than words.
I needed the truth.
“Then why did your mother say her name?””
Daniel looked away.
And that small movement made my stomach drop.
“Daniel.””
He sat down.
“I need to explain.””
I laughed softly.
“That’s what people say when the truth is worse.””
He rubbed his hands together.
“Years ago, before I met you, my mother met Lily.””
I froze.
“My sister?””
He nodded.
“She was at a charity event with your family.””
I stared at him.
“What does that have to do with anything?””
“My mother thought she was…”
He stopped.
“Thought she was what?””
Daniel swallowed.
“Someone who understood the kind of family she wanted.””
I felt disgusted.
“She was your mother’s choice?””
“No.””
His voice became louder.
“No, Sarah. Not like that.””
“Then explain.””
He looked exhausted.
“My mother admired Lily because she was ambitious. She thought Lily had the same social connections, the same confidence, the same background she wanted.””
I narrowed my eyes.
“So why did Evelyn say she was someone you were supposed to marry?””
Daniel looked down.
“Because my mother never accepted that I chose you.””
That answer should have comforted me.
It didn’t.
Because too many secrets remained.
“What about the documents?””
He looked confused.
“What documents?””
“The ones with Rebecca. The ones about the house.””
He sighed.
“I told you.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“You gave me pieces. You never gave me the whole picture.””
He had no response.
That afternoon, I called Lily.
She answered immediately.
“Sarah? Are you okay?””
I almost cried hearing her voice.
Because Lily had been there for me my entire life.
She was the person who held my hand when our father lost his company.
The person who sat beside me after my first breakup.
The person who cried with me when I found out I was pregnant.
But now…
I didn’t know anything.
“Lily, I need to ask you something.””
Her tone changed.
“What happened?””
“Did you know Daniel before I met him?””
The silence was immediate.
My heart sank.
“Lily?””
“Sarah…”
“Please don’t lie.””
She took a breath.
“Yes.””
I closed my eyes.
“How?””
“It wasn’t what you think.””
“Everyone keeps saying that.””
My voice cracked.
“Everyone keeps saying it’s not what I think, but somehow I’m always the last person to know.””
Lily sounded hurt.
“I met him twice.””
“Twice?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“Before your wedding.””
I felt cold.
Before my wedding.
“You never told me.””
“Because nothing happened.””
“Then why hide it?””
She didn’t answer.
And that silence hurt.
“Lily.””
Finally, she whispered:
“Because Evelyn asked me not to.””
My heart stopped.
“Why would she ask you that?””
“I don’t know.””
“Try again.””
Another pause.
Then Lily said:
“She wanted to know if you were serious about Daniel.””
I sat down.
“So she investigated me.””
“Yes.””
“And you helped her?””
“No!””
Lily sounded panicked.
“I never gave her anything bad about you.””
“Then what did you give her?””
Silence.
A long silence.
Then Lily whispered:
“Your old family records.””
I felt numb.
“Why?””
“She said she wanted to understand your background.””
I looked around my room.
Everything felt unfamiliar.
My own family.
My own marriage.
Everything had hidden corners.
“Lily.””
“Yes?””
“Did you know Daniel was planning to leave me?””
The silence returned.
This time, it was longer.
And that was when I knew.
She knew something.
“Lily?””
Her voice broke.
“I’m sorry.””
My heart dropped.
“Sorry for what?””
She whispered:
“Because I should have told you months ago.””
I stood up.
“What should you have told me?””
Her answer came quietly.
And it changed everything.
“Sarah… Daniel wasn’t planning to leave you because of Evelyn.””
I stopped breathing.
“Then why?””
May you like
Lily whispered:
“Because he found out something about the baby.””
