Chapter 10: The Truth About Nia’s Mother
I stared at the message on my phone for almost a full minute.
Ask your wife’s father why he never told you the truth about Nia’s mother.
Those words felt heavier than anything Brenda had done.
Because everything had started with my daughter.
With protecting Nia.
With understanding why Brenda treated her like she didn’t belong.
But now someone was pulling me toward a secret from before Brenda ever entered our home.
A secret about the woman who gave me my daughter.
That night, I called my father-in-law again.
He answered quickly.
“Daniel.””
His voice already sounded like he knew why I was calling.
“You know what Brenda sent me.””
There was silence.
Then he sighed.
“I was afraid this day would come.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“What does that mean?””
“It means there are things I should have told you years ago.””
I walked into the backyard.
Away from the girls.
Away from the house.
“Start talking.””
For a moment, all I heard was his breathing.
Then he said:
“Nia’s mother wasn’t the person everyone thought she was.””
My heart sank.
“Be careful.””
“I’m not insulting her.””
“Then explain.””
He paused.
“She was kind. She was loving. She was an amazing mother.””
I relaxed slightly.
“Then what’s the secret?””
“She knew Brenda before you did.””
I froze.
“What?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
“They worked together years ago.””
The pieces started moving.
Brenda had known my wife’s family.
She had been around before I understood who she really was.
“She introduced herself as a friend.””
My voice became quiet.
“And my wife trusted her?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
My father-in-law sighed.
“Because your wife saw the good in everyone.””
That sounded exactly like the woman I loved.
She always believed people could change.
She always searched for reasons behind someone’s actions.
“What happened between them?””
His answer came slowly.
“Your wife started noticing things.””
“What things?””
“That Brenda became jealous.””
I closed my eyes.
“Of her?””
“Yes.””
The same pattern.
The same obsession.
The need to be the person everyone looked at.
“She started copying her.””
I frowned.
“Copying?””
“Her style. Her habits. Even the way she spoke.””
I felt uncomfortable.
“Why didn’t anyone stop her?””
“Because it seemed harmless.””
Until it wasn’t.
I looked back at the house.
At the windows where my daughters slept.
“What happened before my wife died?””
My father-in-law became quiet.
Then he said:
“Your wife was planning to confront Brenda.””
My stomach tightened.
“About what?””
“About the letters.””
I stopped walking.
“The letters?””
“Yes.””
“She knew?””
“She discovered Brenda had been keeping personal things from people.””
I looked toward Nia’s room.
The letters from her mother.
“She knew Brenda was doing this?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t she tell me?””
His voice broke slightly.
“Because she thought she had time.””
Those words hurt.
Because they reminded me how fragile time was.
“How did Brenda get close to our family after that?””
“She convinced everyone she was helping.””
I laughed bitterly.
“Of course she did.””
The next morning, I showed Nia the letters again.
But this time, I told her something different.
“Your mother knew you.””
Nia looked up.
“What do you mean?””
“She wrote these because she wanted you to always know how loved you were.””
Nia held the letter carefully.
“Did she know Brenda?””
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Yes.””
Nia became quiet.
“Did Mom dislike her?””
I thought about that.
“No.””
That surprised her.
“She didn’t hate people easily.””
Nia looked at the letter.
“Then why did Brenda hate me?””
I sat beside her.
“Because sometimes people hurt others because they see something they wish they had.””
Nia didn’t answer.
But I knew she understood.
Later that afternoon, Olivia called.
Her voice sounded urgent.
“Daniel, you need to meet me.””
“What happened?””
“I found something.””
“What?””
“A letter from your wife.””
My entire body froze.
“A letter?””
“Yes.””
“Where?””
“With Brenda’s old things.””
My heart started racing.
“What does it say?””
Olivia was silent.
May you like
Then she whispered:
“It says Brenda was planning something before your wife died.””
