Chapter 2 - THE LETTER FROM THE GRAVEMichael read the first line.
My son, if you are reading this, then your mother has finally lost control of the truth.
He stopped breathing.
Emily moved closer.
“What does it say?”
Michael continued.
I have spent years watching your mother make decisions for everyone around her. She believes control is love. It is not.
Michael looked up.
Margaret's face was pale.
“Stop reading.”
Michael stared at her.
“Why?”
“Because your father was sick.”
“Was he lying?”
Margaret said nothing.
Michael looked back at the letter.
There is something you must know about the house.
His hands began shaking.
The house does not belong entirely to your mother.
Emily frowned.
Michael continued.
Before I died, I discovered that your mother had been transferring money from our joint accounts.
Margaret stepped forward.
“Michael, please.”
He ignored her.
I confronted her. She told me it was for your future. I believed her. But the money was not being saved for you.
Michael stopped.
Emily whispered:
“Where was it going?”
He read the next line.
It was going to a woman named Claire.
Margaret closed her eyes.
Michael looked up.
“Who is Claire?”
Margaret's silence was terrifying.
Then the letter continued.
Claire is not a stranger. She is the person your mother has spent twenty-five years trying to erase from our family.
Michael stared at his mother.
“What does that mean?”
Margaret finally spoke.
“Your father was confused.”
“Who is Claire?”
She did not answer.
Emily looked at Margaret.
“You hid the letters.”
Margaret remained silent.
“You hid this letter.”
Still nothing.
“What else have you hidden?”
The older woman finally broke.
“You don't understand.”
Michael laughed bitterly.
“That is exactly the problem.”
He looked at the letter again.
The final line was written in a shaky hand.
May you like
Michael, you have a sister.
The room became completely silent.
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