Chapter 6: The Woman From My Mother’s Past
I couldn’t move.
The woman standing in front of me looked like a stranger.
But something about her face felt familiar.
The shape of her eyes.
The way she held herself.
The small smile that disappeared when she saw me.
It was like looking at a photograph of my mother that had somehow come alive.
Dad stepped between us.
“Why are you here?””
Evelyn looked at him.
“Because she deserves the truth.””
My heart pounded.
“Who are you really?””
The woman looked at me.
“I’m Evelyn.””
She swallowed.
“I’m your mother’s sister.””
I had imagined meeting someone from my mother’s family a thousand times.
I imagined hugs.
Stories.
Pictures.
Not this.
Not after learning everyone had lied to me.
“Why didn’t you come before?”” I asked.
Her face fell.
“Because your father made sure I couldn’t.””
Dad immediately shook his head.
“That’s not what happened.””
Evelyn looked angry.
“You told everyone I was unstable.””
“Because you tried to take Maya.””
“Because I was grieving!””
The argument exploded between them.
I stepped back.
“Stop.””
Both adults looked at me.
“I’m tired of everyone talking like I’m not standing here.””
Nobody spoke.
I looked at Evelyn.
“Why did you try to take me?””
Her expression softened.
“Because your mother asked me to.””
The world went silent.
“What?””
Dad’s face changed.
“No.””
Evelyn reached into her bag.
She pulled out an old envelope.
My hands started shaking.
I recognized the handwriting immediately.
Even after all these years.
Mom’s handwriting.
My name was written across the front.
Maya.
I couldn’t breathe.
“Where did you get that?””
Dad whispered.
Evelyn looked at him.
“Your wife gave it to me before she died.””
I stared at the envelope.
“She knew she was dying?””
Evelyn nodded.
“She knew.””
Tears filled my eyes.
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?””
Nobody answered.
Because there was no good answer.
Evelyn held the letter toward me.
“Your mother wanted you to have this when you were old enough.””
I reached for it.
But before my fingers touched the envelope, Vanessa spoke.
“Maya, you shouldn’t read that.””
Everyone turned.
She looked terrified.
Not angry.
Terrified.
Dad noticed.
“Why?””
Vanessa’s face changed.
“Because it will hurt her.””
Evelyn laughed bitterly.
“No.””
She looked directly at Vanessa.
“Because it will expose you.””
My father froze.
“What does that mean?””
Vanessa stepped backward.
“Nothing.””
Evelyn pointed at the envelope.
“Your stepmother knows exactly what’s inside.””
My stomach dropped.
I looked at Vanessa.
“You read my mother’s letter?””
She didn’t answer.
Dad’s voice became dangerous.
“Vanessa.””
“I was protecting the family.””
“No.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“You were protecting yourself.””
The wind moved through the trees outside.
Nobody spoke.
Then Evelyn looked at me.
“Your mother wrote this letter because she discovered something before she died.””
My fingers tightened around the envelope.
“What?””
Evelyn looked at Vanessa.
“She discovered that someone close to her was lying.””
Vanessa’s face went pale.
Dad looked confused.
“Who?””
Evelyn’s eyes moved back to me.
And the next words changed everything.
“Your mother didn’t die believing she was sick.””
I stopped breathing.
“What are you saying?””
Evelyn whispered,
“She believed someone was trying to make her disappear.””
The envelope trembled in my hand.
May you like
And then Vanessa suddenly lunged forward.
“Give me that letter.””
