Chapter 15 - THE LAST SECRET
Margaret asked to speak with Lena.
They met at Claire's old house.
The kitchen was quiet.
The oven was cold.
Lena stood beside the counter.
Margaret sat at the old table.
“I owe you the truth.”
“You owe me several truths.”
Margaret nodded.
“There is one more.”
Lena waited.
Margaret reached into her purse.
She removed a letter.
“This was written by your mother.”
Lena stared.
“Why do you have it?”
“Because she gave it to me.”
“When?”
“Three months before she died.”
Lena opened it.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
Margaret,
If anything happens to me, protect my daughters.
Lena stopped.
Her eyes filled with tears.
Margaret continued:
“Your mother knew she was in danger.”
“From Thomas?”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't she tell me?”
“You were twelve.”
Lena read the letter.
I know you believe I hate you. I don't.
I know what you did.
I know you took Emily.
But I also know why.
Lena looked up.
Margaret was crying.
“Your mother forgave me before you ever knew what happened.”
Lena stared at the letter.
“She forgave you?”
“Yes.”
“Then why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was a coward.”
The word hung between them.
Margaret continued.
“Your mother asked me to protect you.”
“You didn't.”
“I tried.”
“You rejected my son.”
Margaret looked down.
“I was afraid.”
“Of Eli?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
Margaret looked at her.
“When I saw him, I saw the truth.”
Lena frowned.
“What truth?”
“That blood doesn't determine love.”
Lena said nothing.
Margaret continued:
“I spent thirty-six years believing I could protect a family by hiding the truth.”
She wiped her eyes.
“But I only taught everyone to be afraid of love.”
Lena looked away.
Margaret whispered:
“I was cruel to Eli because I was afraid he would love me.”
Lena turned.
“What?”
“I knew he was innocent.”
“Then why?”
“Because if I allowed myself to love him, I would have to admit that I had lost Emily.”
Lena's anger weakened.
Margaret looked at her.
“I was wrong.”
“Yes.”
“I know.”
“And saying sorry doesn't fix everything.”
“I know.”
“Eli deserves better.”
“Yes.”
Lena looked at the letter again.
“Did my mother really forgive you?”
Margaret nodded.
“Not completely.”
Lena almost smiled.
“That sounds like her.”
Margaret gave a small, broken laugh.
“Yes.”
Then Lena asked:
“Why did she call you?”
Margaret looked down.
“She wanted to tell you the truth.”
“But she died.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
Margaret's face changed.
“Thomas.”
Lena froze.
“What?”
“He caused the accident.”
The room went silent.
Margaret whispered:
“He wanted to silence her.”
Lena closed her eyes.
For years, she had believed her mother's death was an accident.
Now she knew it had been murder.
The last secret had finally been revealed.
And this time, Lena did not scream.
She simply cried.
Margaret reached for her hand.
Lena stared at it.
Then slowly—
she let Margaret hold it.
Not forgiveness.
May you like
Not yet.
But a beginning.
