Chapter 7: My Mother's Secret
I stared at the phone number circled on the page.
My mother’s number.
The same number that had been saved in my phone since I was a teenager.
The same number I called when I was sick.
The same number I called when I needed advice about my marriage.
My mother.
“No,” I whispered.
Emily didn’t say anything.
She just watched my face.
“She wouldn’t.””
The words came out before I even realized I had spoken them.
Emily lowered her eyes.
“I know what it looks like.””
“It looks impossible.””
“I thought the same thing.””
I pushed the paper away.
“My mother hates lying.””
Emily gave me a sad look.
“Sarah, everyone says that about people they trust.””
That sentence hurt because I knew she wasn’t trying to be cruel.
She was telling me something I had spent my entire life refusing to believe.
I left the café with the folder pressed against my chest.
Dad was waiting outside.
He knew something was wrong before I opened the car door.
“What happened?””
I got inside.
For a moment, I couldn’t speak.
Then I handed him the page.
He looked down.
His expression changed.
“Your mother?””
I nodded.
Dad stared at the number for a long time.
Then he whispered, “No.””
It was the same reaction I had.
“No.””
We sat in silence.
Finally, I asked, “Did Mom know anything about Michael?””
Dad looked out the windshield.
“Your mother knew he was struggling.””
“What does that mean?””
“She told me he was stressed.””
I turned toward him.
“When?””
“Months ago.””
My chest tightened.
“And you didn’t tell me?””
Dad closed his eyes.
“I didn’t know the full story.””
“You all knew something.””
My voice cracked.
“Everyone knew something except me.””
Dad looked devastated.
“Sarah.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“I spent eight months thinking I was the only person in my marriage.””
The drive home was quiet.
When I walked inside, Michael was sitting on the couch.
He stood immediately.
“Where were you?””
I laughed.
“Are you serious?””
“I was worried.””
“You were worried?””
I dropped the folder onto the table.
“Open it.””
He looked at the papers.
Then at me.
“I don’t want to do this.””
“That’s unfortunate.””
He didn’t move.
“Sarah, listen to me.””
“No. You listen.””
I pointed at the documents.
“You used our money.””
“I was trying to protect us.””
“You lied to me.””
“Yes.””
“You cheated.””
His face tightened.
“Yes.””
“And now I find out my mother was involved.””
Michael froze.
Only for a second.
But I saw it.
“You knew?””
He looked away.
That was enough.
“You knew.””
“Sarah, it’s complicated.””
I stepped back.
“My whole life has become that sentence.””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Your mother wasn’t supposed to be involved.””
“Wasn’t supposed to be?””
“She came to me.””
“When?””
“Before Emily.””
I felt sick.
“What did she want?””
Michael stayed silent.
“Answer me.””
“She wanted to help.””
“With what?””
He looked at the floor.
“With your father.””
I froze.
“My father?””
Michael nodded slowly.
“Your mother was afraid your father would lose everything.””
I stared at him.
“That doesn’t make sense.””
“She invested money into something years ago. It went wrong.””
“And?””
“And she borrowed from someone dangerous.””
My expression changed.
“What does that mean?””
Michael looked toward the window.
“It means your family has been carrying secrets long before I became one.””
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.
“You’re blaming my family for your choices?””
“No.””
“Because it sounds like you are.””
He stepped closer.
“I’m telling you there’s more happening than you understand.””
My phone suddenly rang.
Mom.
I looked at the screen.
Michael saw it.
“Don’t answer.””
That made me angry.
“You don’t tell me what to do.””
I answered.
“Mom?””
There was silence.
Then her voice.
“Sarah.””
She sounded scared.
“Where are you?””
“Why?””
“Because we need to talk.””
“About Michael?””
Another silence.
My heart dropped.
“You knew.””
“Sarah…”
“How long?””
“Please come home.””
“Mom.””
Her voice broke.
“Please.””
I looked at Michael.
He was watching me carefully.
Then my mother said something that made my blood run cold.
“Your father is not the person you think he is.””
I gripped the phone.
May you like
“What does that mean?””
But she had already hung up.
