Chapter 6
I stood frozen on the staircase.
The suitcase handle dug into my palm.
Below me, Evelyn continued speaking.
"You promised this would stay buried."
I felt my heart pounding.
What happened the night Lorraine died?
My mother had died in a car accident.
That was what Arthur told me.
That was what the police report said.
That was what I'd believed for twenty-six years.
I was six when we buried her.
I remembered the rain.
The flowers.
The way Arthur held me against his chest while I cried.
I remembered asking when Mommy was coming home.
Nobody answered.
Now Evelyn was whispering as though there was something more.
I stepped down another stair.
Marcus appeared in the hallway.
He noticed my expression.
"Nia?"
I raised one finger to my lips.
He stopped.
Below us, Evelyn said, "I don't care what Arthur wrote. You need to keep your mouth shut."
Then the call ended.
I stared at Marcus.
His face had gone pale.
He had heard enough.
We walked downstairs together.
Evelyn stood near the window.
When she saw us, she immediately slipped her phone into her pocket.
I stopped several feet away.
"Who were you talking to?"
She crossed her arms.
"Nobody."
I stared at her.
"You said Grace's name."
Her expression changed.
"I was speaking about her."
"To whom?"
"That's none of your business."
Marcus stepped beside me.
"Mom, we heard you."
She looked toward him.
"What exactly are you accusing me of?"
I took a slow breath.
"What happened the night my mother died?"
The color drained from Evelyn's face.
For the first time, she looked genuinely frightened.
Then she shook her head.
"Nothing happened."
I stared at her.
"She died in a car accident."
"Yes."
"Then why are you afraid of Grace telling me something?"
Evelyn looked away.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Marcus stepped forward.
"Mom, stop lying."
She stared at him.
"How dare you?"
He shook his head.
"You're making this worse."
I could feel my anger rising.
But I forced myself to remain calm.
I didn't want a shouting match.
I wanted answers.
I looked directly at Evelyn.
"I'm going to contact Grace."
Her mouth opened.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because that woman has spent years trying to destroy this family!"
I shook my head.
"Then she can tell me her side."
Evelyn stepped closer.
"You'll regret it."
I met her eyes.
"I've already spent twenty-four years regretting that nobody told me the truth."
Then I walked out.
Marcus followed.
We drove to his apartment.
I didn't want to stay at Arthur's house another night.
Not while Evelyn was there.
Not while every room reminded me of secrets.
Marcus prepared the guest room.
He gave me clean towels and a spare blanket.
Then he sat beside me on the sofa.
"Nia, I need to tell you something."
I looked up.
"What?"
He hesitated.
"When I was younger, I heard Mom arguing with Dad about Lorraine."
My chest tightened.
"What did they say?"
"I don't remember everything."
I waited.
Marcus looked ashamed.
"But I remember Mom saying Grace had documents that could ruin her."
I stared at him.
"When?"
"Years ago. Maybe when I was twenty."
I felt sick.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
He looked down.
"I didn't understand what it meant."
I wanted to be angry.
Part of me was.
But Marcus had been young.
And Evelyn had spent years controlling what he believed.
I took a breath.
"Okay."
He looked surprised.
"Okay?"
"We're going to find out what happened."
He nodded.
"Together."
The next morning, I called the number Camille had given me.
My hands shook as the phone rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then a woman answered.
"Hello?"
I closed my eyes.
Her voice was older.
Softer.
But something about it felt familiar.
"Is this Grace Holloway?"
"Yes."
My throat tightened.
"My name is Nia Bennett."
Silence.
Then I heard a sharp intake of breath.
"Nia?"
I began crying.
"Yes."
"Oh, sweetheart."
Her voice broke.
"Is it really you?"
I nodded, forgetting she couldn't see me.
"It's me."
Grace began sobbing.
For several seconds, neither of us could speak.
Then she whispered, "I've waited so long for this call."
I covered my mouth.
"I thought you didn't want me."
"Oh, baby. No."
Her voice shook.
"I never stopped wanting to see you."
I cried harder.
Grace told me she'd written letters.
Sent birthday cards.
Tried calling.
Tried visiting.
But after Arthur married Evelyn, every attempt became more difficult.
Eventually, she was told I didn't want contact.
I felt sick.
"Who told you that?"
Grace hesitated.
"Arthur."
My heart broke again.
My father had told both sides a lie.
He told me Grace abandoned me.
He told Grace I didn't want her.
And Evelyn had benefited from the silence.
I wiped my eyes.
"Grace, I need to ask you something."
"Anything, sweetheart."
"What happened the night my mother died?"
The line went quiet.
Then Grace said something that made my stomach drop.
"Nia, who told you Lorraine died instantly?"
I froze.
"My father."
Grace took a slow breath.
"She didn't."
I gripped the phone.
"What?"
"Your mother survived the crash long enough to speak to the first responders."
My heart pounded.
Grace continued.
"And before she lost consciousness, she asked them to contact me."
I covered my mouth.
"Why?"
May you like
Grace's voice trembled.
"Because she was afraid someone had been following her."
