Chapter 6: The Letter From My Mother
Nobody touched the envelope.
It sat in the middle of the table like something dangerous.
I had spent my entire life believing my mother was a victim.
Then my father became the villain.
Then Vanessa.
Then my grandmother.
Now there was a letter written in my mother’s handwriting that she claimed she never wrote.
I didn’t know who to believe anymore.
“I want to see it,” I said.
My mother looked at me.
“Lena…”
“I need the truth.””
Her expression broke.
She nodded.
Slowly, I opened the envelope.
Inside was a single page.
The paper was yellowed, but the ink was clear.
I started reading.
Lena, if you are reading this, then something happened to me.
My hands tightened.
I need you to understand something. Your father is not the only person you should fear.
I looked up.
My mother looked terrified.
I continued.
There is a reason Marcus wanted custody. There is a reason people are willing to destroy our family.
My heart raced.
Because I discovered what your grandfather left behind.
I stopped.
My mother whispered, “Keep reading.””
I forced myself.
The money was never the real secret.
The next sentence made everyone at the table go still.
The real secret is what happened before you were born.
I looked at my mother.
“What does that mean?””
She didn’t answer.
The rain outside became louder.
I read the final lines.
Lena, I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you the truth myself.
But if Marcus finds this letter, he will know I survived.
And if my mother finds it…
The sentence ended there.
No explanation.
No goodbye.
Just three unfinished words.
If my mother finds it…
My grandmother covered her mouth.
My mother looked at her.
“What did you do?””
My grandmother shook her head.
“I swear I don’t know.””
But nobody believed her.
Not anymore.
Daniel suddenly grabbed the letter.
“Wait.””
He pointed at the bottom corner.
There was a tiny mark.
A symbol.
A circle with a line through it.
His face changed.
“I’ve seen this before.””
“Where?”” my mother asked.
Daniel looked toward the window.
“The place where they kept you.””
My mother went completely still.
“What?””
Daniel lowered his voice.
“The cabin wasn’t abandoned.””
The words chilled me.
“What are you saying?””
He looked at me.
“Your mother wasn’t the only person being held there.””
My mother grabbed his arm.
“Who else was there?””
Daniel hesitated.
Then he answered.
“Someone who knew everything about Marcus.””
My mother’s voice shook.
“Who?””
Daniel looked at me.
May you like
And said:
“Your real father.””
