Chapter 3
Grace went to Katherine at dawn.
The girl was sitting by the window, pale and quiet.
“Did you know Beatrice?” Grace asked gently.
Katherine nodded slowly.
“She was my cousin. Not just my friend. My cousin.”
Grace froze.
“Caleb never knew?”
“Beatrice made me swear not to tell anyone we were related. She said her family would force her to end things. And then… she didn’t run away with another man.”
Katherine’s voice broke.
“She was sick. Cancer. She didn’t want him to watch her die. She made me lie. She made me pretend I didn’t care so he would let her go.”
Tears streamed down her face.
“I watched him grieve for months. I wanted to tell him so many times. But I promised her. I promised I would let him remember her whole and happy.”
Grace covered her mouth to muffle a sob.
May you like
The secret Caleb had turned into vengeance had been an act of love all along.
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