Chapter 6: The Secret Nick Kept
The drive home was silent.
Not peaceful.
Not comfortable.
Silent in the way a storm is silent before it breaks.
I stared out the window while the city passed by.
Every few seconds, I looked at Nick.
Waiting.
Hoping he would say something.
Anything.
But he didn’t.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Nick.””
His hands tightened around the steering wheel.
“I know.””
“No.””
I looked at him.
“You don’t know.””
My voice shook.
“You know what it feels like to find out your husband has been hiding something important?””
He swallowed.
“I was going to tell you.””
“When?””
He didn’t answer.
That hurt more than I expected.
When we reached home, I walked inside and placed my purse on the table.
The house suddenly felt unfamiliar.
Not because of Martha.
Because of the question sitting between us.
“What accident?””
Nick stood near the doorway.
For a long time, he said nothing.
Then he sat down.
“Three years ago.””
I waited.
“Before we got engaged.””
I nodded.
“Okay.””
He looked at his hands.
“I was driving home after arguing with my mom.””
My heart slowed.
“What happened?””
“She called me.””
He took a breath.
“She was angry because I refused to meet Vanessa.””
My stomach tightened.
“She said things.””
“What things?””
Nick looked up.
“That I was ruining my life. That I was embarrassing the family.””
He looked away.
“I got distracted.””
My voice softened.
“Nick…”
“I crashed.””
The room went completely still.
“Were you hurt?””
He nodded.
“Badly.””
My eyes filled.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
“Because I knew you would blame yourself.””
I frowned.
“Why would I blame myself?””
“Because you would think it happened because of you.””
I stared at him.
“And you thought lying was better?””
“No.””
His voice broke.
“I thought protecting you was better.””
I shook my head.
“You don’t get to decide what hurts me.””
He closed his eyes.
“I know.””
That was the hardest part.
He knew.
He knew he was wrong.
But he had still done it.
“What does this have to do with Martha?””
Nick hesitated.
Then he stood and walked to a cabinet.
He pulled out an old box.
“I kept everything.””
Inside were hospital papers.
Photos.
Letters.
My heart sank.
He handed me one envelope.
I opened it.
Inside was a letter from Martha.
The handwriting was sharp.
Angry.
The letter was dated the week after his accident.
Nick watched me read.
Dear Nicholas,
You see what happens when you choose against your family.
You think that girl will protect you?
She won’t.
You need someone who understands your world.
Someone like Vanessa.
My hands trembled.
“She blamed me?””
Nick nodded.
“She blamed my relationship with you.””
I looked at him.
“And you kept this?””
“I didn’t want you to hate her.””
A painful laugh escaped me.
“Nick, she cut my hair.””
“I know.””
“She tried to take our house.””
“I know.””
“She threatened me.””
“I know.””
His voice became quieter.
“I spent years hoping there was still a way to fix this.””
I looked down.
“And now?””
He sat beside me.
“Now I know I was wrong.””
For a while, neither of us spoke.
Then my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
I almost ignored it.
But something made me answer.
“Hello?””
A woman’s voice spoke.
“Is this Emma?””
“Yes.””
“My name is Sarah.””
I frowned.
“I’m sorry, who is this?””
There was a pause.
Then she said:
“I worked for Martha twenty years ago.””
My body went still.
“Why are you calling me?””
Her voice lowered.
“Because I saw what she did.””
My grip tightened around the phone.
“What did she do?””
“She told everyone the braid cutting was a tradition.””
I looked at Nick.
But he didn’t hear the other side.
Sarah continued.
“But that wasn’t the worst thing.””
My heart started pounding.
“What was?””
“She destroyed evidence.””
“Evidence of what?””
Another pause.
Then Sarah whispered:
“Your husband’s accident wasn’t an accident.””
The room stopped.
I couldn’t breathe.
“What did you say?””
“I’m sorry.””
Her voice trembled.
“I should have spoken years ago.””
I stood up.
“Sarah, explain.””
But before she could answer, the call ended.
I stared at the phone.
Nick stood immediately.
“What happened?””
I looked at him.
My face must have told him everything.
“Nick…”
He froze.
“What?””
May you like
I swallowed.
“Someone just told me your accident wasn’t an accident.””
