Chapter 12 - THE TRUTH BENEATH THE BRIDGE
We found my mother three days later.
Not because she contacted us.
Because Ethan did.
He sent me a message.
If you want the truth about your mother, come to the old bridge.
I showed Rebecca.
She immediately said no.
My father said absolutely not.
Noah said:
“We don't go alone.”
So we went together.
The old bridge stood over a narrow river outside the city.
I had never been there before.
My father had.
The moment he stepped out of the car, his face changed.
“This is where it happened.”
I looked at him.
“The shooting?”
He nodded.
The bridge was covered in rust.
The river beneath it was dark.
I stood near the railing.
“Why would Ethan bring me here?”
Noah looked around.
“Because he wants you to remember something.”
A voice came from behind us.
“Because she deserves to know.”
I turned.
Ethan stood near the trees.
He looked thinner.
Exhausted.
The man who had once walked into a room and owned it now looked like a stranger.
“You came,” he said.
I stared at him.
“Where is my mother?”
“Safe.”
“Where?”
“Not here.”
I stepped forward.
“Tell me the truth.”
Ethan looked at my father.
“You should tell her.”
Dad's face hardened.
“I already told her what I know.”
“No.”
Ethan shook his head.
“You told her what you could live with.”
My father stepped toward him.
“Don't.”
Ethan looked at me.
“Your mother was shot here.”
“I know.”
“By Martin.”
“I know.”
“But Martin wasn't alone.”
My stomach tightened.
“Who was with him?”
Ethan said nothing.
I whispered:
“You.”
He looked away.
“Yes.”
The world seemed to become silent.
“Why?”
“I was twenty-four.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“My brother had been stealing money.”
“I know.”
“Your mother found out.”
“I know.”
“She threatened to expose him.”
“And you helped him?”
Ethan's eyes filled with pain.
“I was afraid.”
I laughed bitterly.
“You were afraid?”
“Yes.”
“Of your brother?”
“Of my father.”
I froze.
Ethan continued.
“My father controlled everything. Martin worked for him. I tried to leave.”
“But you stayed.”
“Yes.”
“And my mother?”
“She wanted to help me.”
I stared at him.
“What?”
“She knew I wanted out.”
“Then why did you let her disappear?”
“I didn't.”
“Your mother was shot.”
“I know.”
“Your mother was poisoned.”
“I know.”
“Your mother disappeared.”
“I know.”
I stared at him.
“Then what did you do?”
Ethan's voice broke.
“I helped her escape.”
I froze.
“What?”
“Your mother survived.”
“I know.”
“She was taken to a private clinic.”
“By whom?”
“Me.”
I couldn't breathe.
“You saved her?”
“Yes.”
“Then why did you marry me?”
He looked at me.
“I thought I could protect you.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
His eyes filled with tears.
“You don't get to say that.”
“I know.”
“You betrayed me.”
“I know.”
“You lied to me.”
“I know.”
“You destroyed my life.”
“I know.”
“Then don't tell me you protected me.”
He lowered his head.
“You're right.”
The honesty made me angrier.
“Where is my mother?”
Ethan looked toward the river.
“She has been hiding in Montana.”
I stared at him.
“Why?”
“Because your father was right.”
My father looked at him.
“About what?”
“The Carter family never stopped looking for her.”
“Your father?”
Ethan nodded.
“My father died five years ago.”
I froze.
“Then who?”
Ethan looked at me.
“Martin.”
My blood went cold.
“Martin is alive?”
Ethan nodded.
I couldn't speak.
My father's face turned white.
“That body…”
“Wasn't Martin.”
Ethan looked at me.
“Martin has been alive for twenty years.”
I stepped backward.
“Where is he?”
Ethan looked toward the trees.
Then a voice answered.
“Right here.”
A man stepped out of the darkness.
Older.
Thinner.
But the face from the photographs was unmistakable.
Martin Carter.
My mother had been right.
May you like
The dead man was alive.
And he had been watching all of us.
