Chapter 9: The Truth Before the Wedding
By seven in the morning, the house was filled with documents.
My father had asked his legal team to come over, and Margaret was filled with documents.
My father had asked his legal team to come over, and Margaret joined us by secure video call. I sat at the dining table wearing one of my mother's old card joined us by secure video call. I sat at the dining table wearing one of my mother's old cardigans, a mug of untouched tea beside my hand.
Outside, the white roses moved gently in the breeze.
Inside, every new piece of evidence seemed to make my marriage lessigans, a mug of untouched tea beside my hand.
Outside, the white roses moved gently in the breeze.
Inside, every new piece of evidence seemed to make my marriage less recognizable.
Margaret shared the payment authorization on screen.
“The transfer was made four years ago to the charity event organizer recognizable.
Margaret shared the payment authorization on screen.
“The transfer was made four years ago to the charity event organizer,” she explained.
“The account belonged to an investment vehicle controlled by Daniel's father, Arthur Sterling,” she explained.
“The account belonged to an investment vehicle controlled by Daniel's father, Arthur Sterling.””
My father leaned forward.
“Was there a stated purpose?””
“The description reads ‘strategic.””
My father leaned forward.
“Was there a stated purpose?””
“The description reads ‘strategic relationship development.’ No individual was named in the payment record, but the event's guest list includes Viv relationship development.’ No individual was named in the payment record, but the event's guest list includes Vivienne.””
I stared at the screen.
“Was I the intended target?””
“We can't establish that from the payment alone,” Margaretienne.””
I stared at the screen.
“Was I the intended target?””
“We can't establish that from the payment alone,” Margaret said.
“However, an internal memorandum was attached to the transaction.””
She opened it.
The document was brief said.
“However, an internal memorandum was attached to the transaction.””
She opened it.
The document was brief.
It stated that Arthur Sterling had requested an introduction between his son and a representative of the Vale family who worked in corporate risk analysis.
The request was made four years earlier.
.
It stated that Arthur Sterling had requested an introduction between his son and a representative of the Vale family who worked in corporate risk analysis.
The request was made four years earlier.
I read the sentence again.
“Why would Daniel's father want us to meet?””
My father rubbed his chin.
“Arthur and I had a business relationshipI read the sentence again.
“Why would Daniel's father want us to meet?””
My father rubbed his chin.
“Arthur and I had a business relationship long before you were born. It became strained when Vale Meridian refused to guarantee a Sterling investment long before you were born. It became strained when Vale Meridian refused to guarantee a Sterling investment fund that was facing serious losses.””
“How serious?””
“Enough that a fund that was facing serious losses.””
“How serious?””
“Enough that a guarantee would have exposed my shareholders to substantial risk.””
“Did you refuse because you suspected fraud?””
“I refused guarantee would have exposed my shareholders to substantial risk.””
“Did you refuse because you suspected fraud?””
“I refused because the numbers didn't support the proposal. I had no proof of fraud at the time.””
Marg because the numbers didn't support the proposal. I had no proof of fraud at the time.””
Margaret added, “The memorandum suggests Arthur believed a personal relationship between the families could help reopen discussions about the guarantee.””
I felt a bitter laugh rise in my throat.
“So Daniel'saret added, “The memorandum suggests Arthur believed a personal relationship between the families could help reopen discussions about the guarantee.””
I felt a bitter laugh rise in my throat.
“So Daniel's father wanted him to meet me because he thought I could help the company.””
“Possibly,” my father wanted him to meet me because he thought I could help the company.””
“Possibly,” my father said.
“But we need to distinguish Arthur's intentions from Daniel's.””
I shook my head.
“How many times am I supposed to make that distinction? Daniel knew his father said.
“But we need to distinguish Arthur's intentions from Daniel's.””
I shook my head.
“How many times am I supposed to make that distinction? Daniel knew his mother was trying to use my inheritance. He knew the custody plan existed. He knew I was being pressured.
Now I learn his father may mother was trying to use my inheritance. He knew the custody plan existed. He knew I was being pressured. Now I learn his father may have arranged our introduction for business reasons.””
“I understand,” my father said.
“No, Dad. have arranged our introduction for business reasons.””
“I understand,” my father said.
“No, Dad. You understand the documents. I'm trying to understand the person I married.””
The room fell You understand the documents. I'm trying to understand the person I married.””
The room fell silent.
I picked up my tea and took a sip. It had gone cold.
“I want to see Daniel.””
silent.
I picked up my tea and took a sip. It had gone cold.
“I want to see Daniel.””
My father looked concerned.
“Are you sure?””
“Yes. Not alone, and not without my attorney. But IMy father looked concerned.
“Are you sure?””
“Yes. Not alone, and not without my attorney. But I want him to answer one question.””
Margaret nodded.
“I'll arrange it.””
Daniel arrived at eleven.
want him to answer one question.””
Margaret nodded.
“I'll arrange it.””
Daniel arrived at eleven.
He looked as though he hadn't slept. His shirt was wrinkled, his eyes bloodshot, and his hair hadHe looked as though he hadn't slept. His shirt was wrinkled, his eyes bloodshot, and his hair had been pushed back so many times that it no longer stayed in place.
He stopped at the dining room doorway when he been pushed back so many times that it no longer stayed in place.
He stopped at the dining room doorway when he saw my father and two attorneys.
“Vivienne,” he said.
I gestured toward the chair across from me.
“ saw my father and two attorneys.
“Vivienne,” he said.
I gestured toward the chair across from me.
“Sit down.””
He obeyed.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then I placed the payment authorization on the table.
“Did you know your father arrangedSit down.””
He obeyed.
For several seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then I placed the payment authorization on the table.
“Did you know your father arranged for us to meet?””
Daniel stared at the document.
His face changed.
“Where did you get this?””
“That's not an answer.””
He looked at the attorneys, then back at me.
“Yes,” for us to meet?””
Daniel stared at the document.
His face changed.
“Where did you get this?””
“That's not an answer.””
He looked at the attorneys, then back at me.
“Yes,” he said quietly.
“I knew he had encouraged me to attend the event.””
“When?””
“Before we met.””
“Did he tell you to pursue a relationship with me?””
he said quietly.
“I knew he had encouraged me to attend the event.””
“When?””
“Before we met.””
“Did he tell you to pursue a relationship with me?””
Daniel rubbed his hands together.
“He told me that meeting you could help repair the relationship between our families. He said you were intelligent, independent, and important to the Vale group.””
“And what did you think?””
“At first, I thought itDaniel rubbed his hands together.
“He told me that meeting you could help repair the relationship between our families. He said you were intelligent, independent, and important to the Vale group.””
“And what did you think?””
“At first, I thought it was another business obligation. I nearly didn't go.””
“But you went.””
“Yes.””
“Because you wanted was another business obligation. I nearly didn't go.””
“But you went.””
“Yes.””
“Because you wanted to meet me, or because your father told you to?””
He swallowed.
“Both, eventually.””
I stared at him.
“Explain.””
“The first time I saw you, you were arguing with to meet me, or because your father told you to?””
He swallowed.
“Both, eventually.””
I stared at him.
“Explain.””
“The first time I saw you, you were arguing with the event organizer about a charity's missing donation records. You weren't trying to impress anyone. You were asking why the numbers didn't match.””
I remembered the incident the event organizer about a charity's missing donation records. You weren't trying to impress anyone. You were asking why the numbers didn't match.””
I remembered the incident.
A nonprofit had reported that a substantial portion of its fundraising revenue was missing from.
A nonprofit had reported that a substantial portion of its fundraising revenue was missing from the final accounts. I had noticed the discrepancy in the event's preliminary financial summary and asked the organizer to investigate.
Daniel had approached me afterward and joked that the final accounts. I had noticed the discrepancy in the event's preliminary financial summary and asked the organizer to investigate.
Daniel had approached me afterward and joked that I looked more intimidating than the people who had hired the band.
We had laughed.
We had talked until the venue closed.
“You I looked more intimidating than the people who had hired the band.
We had laughed.
We had talked until the venue closed.
“You told me you admired people who did the right thing even when it made them unpopular,” I said.
told me you admired people who did the right thing even when it made them unpopular,” I said.
“I meant it.””
“But you didn't tell me why you were there.””
“No.””
“Did you ever intend to tell me?””
“I meant it.””
“But you didn't tell me why you were there.””
“No.””
“Did you ever intend to tell me?””
He looked down.
“I kept waiting for the right time.””
“There is no right time to reveal that the person you married may have been part ofHe looked down.
“I kept waiting for the right time.””
“There is no right time to reveal that the person you married may have been part of a business strategy.””
“I know.””
I leaned back.
“Daniel, I need you to understand that the a business strategy.””
“I know.””
I leaned back.
“Daniel, I need you to understand that the problem isn't simply that your father wanted our families to become closer. People introduce friends and relatives all the time. The problem is that you knew the problem isn't simply that your father wanted our families to become closer.
People introduce friends and relatives all the time. The problem is that you knew the meeting had been arranged for a purpose and let me believe it happened by chance.””
“I didn't know how serious meeting had been arranged for a purpose and let me believe it happened by chance.””
“I didn't know how serious his intentions were.””
“Then you should have told me what you knew and let me decide.””
He nodded.
“Yes his intentions were.””
“Then you should have told me what you knew and let me decide.””
He nodded.
“Yes.””
I studied his face.
“Did you fall in love with me?””
His eyes filled.
“Yes.””
“Before or after you realized.””
I studied his face.
“Did you fall in love with me?””
His eyes filled.
“Yes.””
“Before or after you realized my family could help yours?””
He took a long breath.
“Before I understood how much Mother wanted to my family could help yours?””
He took a long breath.
“Before I understood how much Mother wanted to use our marriage. I loved you before I knew about the trust dispute.””
“Then why did you stay silent after use our marriage. I loved you before I knew about the trust dispute.””
“Then why did you stay silent after you found the letter?””
“Because by then, I was already in debt. The property venture was failing you found the letter?””
“Because by then, I was already in debt. The property venture was failing, and Mother told me she could protect me if I helped keep the family relationships stable.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“So you were afraid that telling me, and Mother told me she could protect me if I helped keep the family relationships stable.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“So you were afraid that telling me the truth would cost you money.””
“Yes.””
“And you chose the money.””
He closed the truth would cost you money.””
“Yes.””
“And you chose the money.””
He closed his eyes.
“I chose the hope that I could fix everything without hurting you.””
“You hurt me anyway.””
“I know.””
I looked at the attorneys.
They remained his eyes.
“I chose the hope that I could fix everything without hurting you.””
“You hurt me anyway.””
“I know.””
I looked at the attorneys.
They remained silent.
I returned my attention to Daniel.
“Did your father leave any instructions about me silent.
I returned my attention to Daniel.
“Did your father leave any instructions about me?””
He hesitated.
“There was a letter.””
My father's expression sharpened.
“What letter?””
“Father gave?””
He hesitated.
“There was a letter.””
My father's expression sharpened.
“What letter?””
“Father gave it to Mother before he died. He said it should only be opened if the Sterling family faced a serious financial crisis.””
“Where it to Mother before he died. He said it should only be opened if the Sterling family faced a serious financial crisis.””
“Where is it?”” I asked.
“I don't know. Mother kept it in her private office.””
“Have you seen it?””
“Yes.””
“When is it?”” I asked.
“I don't know. Mother kept it in her private office.””
“Have you seen it?””
“Yes.””
“When?””
“About a month ago.””
My hands went cold.
“What did it say?””
Daniel stared at the table.
“I only saw the first page. It said that if the?””
“About a month ago.””
My hands went cold.
“What did it say?””
Daniel stared at the table.
“I only saw the first page. It said that if the family ever attempted to use the Vale trust to settle its debts, the original agreement between our fathers had to be disclosed.””
My father went very still.
“What original family ever attempted to use the Vale trust to settle its debts, the original agreement between our fathers had to be disclosed.””
My father went very still.
“What original agreement?””
Daniel shook his head.
“I don't know. Mother wouldn't let me read the rest.””
I looked at him.
“Why didn't you agreement?””
Daniel shook his head.
“I don't know. Mother wouldn't let me read the rest.””
I looked at him.
“Why didn't you tell me this before?””
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Of what the letter might prove tell me this before?””
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of what?””
“Of what the letter might prove.””
I felt the last fragile piece of trust between us shift.
“You knew there.””
I felt the last fragile piece of trust between us shift.
“You knew there was a letter that might explain why our families were connected, and you kept that from me while your mother prepared documents involving my inheritance.””
“Yes.””
was a letter that might explain why our families were connected, and you kept that from me while your mother prepared documents involving my inheritance.””
“Yes.””
I closed the folder.
“Thank you for finally telling me.””
He looked startled.
“Does that mean—”
“No. ItI closed the folder.
“Thank you for finally telling me.””
He looked startled.
“Does that mean—”
“No. It means I now have another fact to consider.””
His shoulders sagged.
“Vivienne, I love means I now have another fact to consider.””
His shoulders sagged.
“Vivienne, I love you. I know I've made terrible mistakes, but I never wanted our marriage to be a lie.””
I looked at him.
“Then you should have been brave enough to tell me the truth before you. I know I've made terrible mistakes, but I never wanted our marriage to be a lie.””
I looked at him.
“Then you should have been brave enough to tell me the truth before someone else used it against us.””
He lowered his head.
My father sign someone else used it against us.””
He lowered his head.
My father signaled to the attorneys that the meeting was over.
Daniel stood slowly.
At the doorway, he turned back.
“There's something else.””
I looked up.
“Mother told me that thealed to the attorneys that the meeting was over.
Daniel stood slowly.
At the doorway, he turned back.
“There's something else.””
I looked up.
“Mother told me that the Matriarch Ring wasn't originally supposed to belong to Chloe.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
He swallowed.
“She said it was meant to be transferred to the woman who secured the family's future.””
My father stood abruptly Matriarch Ring wasn't originally supposed to belong to Chloe.””
I frowned.
“What does that mean?””
He swallowed.
“She said it was meant to be transferred to the woman who secured the family's future.””
My father stood abruptly.
“Who told you that?””
“Mother.””
“When?””
“Years ago. Before I met Vivienne.
“Who told you that?””
“Mother.””
“When?””
“Years ago. Before I met Vivienne.””
I stared at him.
“Are you saying she planned to give me the ring?””
“Not exactly. She said the ring represented the family's mat.””
I stared at him.
“Are you saying she planned to give me the ring?””
“Not exactly. She said the ring represented the family's matriarchal line, and that its next owner would be the woman who preserved the family's legacy.””
riarchal line, and that its next owner would be the woman who preserved the family's legacy.””
I thought about Chloe's fury when the ring disappeared.
I thought about the financing agreement that had used it as collateral.
And I thought about Eleanor's insistence that I hadI thought about Chloe's fury when the ring disappeared.
I thought about the financing agreement that had used it as collateral.
And I thought about Eleanor's insistence that I had stolen it.
“Did your mother believe I was supposed to receive it?””
Daniel nodded slowly.
“She believed that if you married me and your trust became accessible, you stolen it.
“Did your mother believe I was supposed to receive it?””
Daniel nodded slowly.
“She believed that if you married me and your trust became accessible, you could help rescue Sterling Holdings. She told me that one day you would understand why the ring mattered.””
My father looked at him with undisguised disgust.
could help rescue Sterling Holdings. She told me that one day you would understand why the ring mattered.””
My father looked at him with undisguised disgust.
“So your mother intended to make my daughter a financial instrument, and the ring was part of the story she“So your mother intended to make my daughter a financial instrument, and the ring was part of the story she used to justify it.””
Daniel didn't answer.
He left the house without another word.
I sat still for several used to justify it.””
Daniel didn't answer.
He left the house without another word.
I sat still for several minutes after the door closed.
Then I turned to my father.
“Find the letter.””
He nodded.
“We will minutes after the door closed.
Then I turned to my father.
“Find the letter.””
He nodded.
“We will.””
“And find out what agreement our families made.””
“We will.””
I looked down at the empty space on.””
“And find out what agreement our families made.””
“We will.””
I looked down at the empty space on my finger where my wedding ring had been.
“I'm done discovering the truth one confession my finger where my wedding ring had been.
“I'm done discovering the truth one confession at a time.””
At 2:30 p.m., Margaret called with an update.
The security team had obtained a warrant-authorized search of the Sterling family's corporate archive under at a time.””
At 2:30 p.m., Margaret called with an update.
The security team had obtained a warrant-authorized search of the Sterling family's corporate archive under the applicable legal process. During the search, investigators found a locked cabinet containing Arthur Sterling's correspondence.
The letter was there.
So was a the applicable legal process. During the search, investigators found a locked cabinet containing Arthur Sterling's correspondence.
The letter was there.
So was a signed agreement dated twenty-three years earlier.
My father arrived at the office where Margaret had secured the documents. I followed with my attorney, determined not signed agreement dated twenty-three years earlier.
My father arrived at the office where Margaret had secured the documents. I followed with my attorney, determined not to let anyone else decide what I was allowed to know.
The agreement was short.
It recorded an investment made by Arthur Sterling into Vale to let anyone else decide what I was allowed to know.
The agreement was short.
It recorded an investment made by Arthur Sterling into Vale Meridian during a difficult period. In exchange, Vale Meridian had granted Sterling Holdings a temporary commercial option tied to a future joint venture.
The option had expired years ago.
There Meridian during a difficult period. In exchange, Vale Meridian had granted Sterling Holdings a temporary commercial option tied to a future joint venture.
The option had expired years ago.
There was no personal debt.
No promise involving marriage.
No obligation for me to provide financial assistance.
My father read the agreement twice.
“Arthur was no personal debt.
No promise involving marriage.
No obligation for me to provide financial assistance.
My father read the agreement twice.
“Arthur knew the option had expired,” he said.
“He signed the termination acknowledgment himself.””
Margaret placed another knew the option had expired,” he said.
“He signed the termination acknowledgment himself.””
Margaret placed another document beside it.
“This is the letter Arthur wrote shortly before his death.””
The letter document beside it.
“This is the letter Arthur wrote shortly before his death.””
The letter was addressed to Eleanor.
*The Vale family owes us nothing further. The investment was repaid according was addressed to Eleanor.
The Vale family owes us nothing further. The investment was repaid according to the contract, and the option expired. Do not use the old agreement to pressure Richard or his daughter.
I felt a wave of relief so strong it almost made to the contract, and the option expired. Do not use the old agreement to pressure Richard or his daughter.*
I felt a wave of relief so strong it almost made me dizzy.
There it was.
The truth, written in the hand of the man Eleanor had invoked for years as me dizzy.
There it was.
The truth, written in the hand of the man Eleanor had invoked for years as justification.
She had known.
She had always known.
My father turned the page.
There was a handwritten justification.
She had known.
She had always known.
My father turned the page.
There was a handwritten note at the bottom.
*If Daniel falls in love with Vivienne, let him choose her freely. Do not make their marriage another instrument of note at the bottom.
If Daniel falls in love with Vivienne, let him choose her freely. Do not make their marriage another instrument of business.
I stared at the words.
For the first time, I felt a complicated sorrow for Daniel's father. Whatever business.*
I stared at the words.
For the first time, I felt a complicated sorrow for Daniel's father. Whatever his earlier motives had been, he had eventually recognized the danger of turning two people into pieces on a financial board.
But the his earlier motives had been, he had eventually recognized the danger of turning two people into pieces on a financial board.
But the letter didn't explain everything.
Margaret opened a second file.
“This was stored with the correspondence. It appears to be a draft of a letter letter didn't explain everything.
Margaret opened a second file.
“This was stored with the correspondence. It appears to be a draft of a letter Eleanor intended to send to the family foundation.””
I read the first paragraph.
It described the Matriarch Ring as Eleanor intended to send to the family foundation.””
I read the first paragraph.
It described the Matriarch Ring as a symbol of the Sterling family's future and referred to a succession arrangement that would take effect when the next generation was a symbol of the Sterling family's future and referred to a succession arrangement that would take effect when the next generation was established.
Then I reached the final page.
My name appeared again.
Not as a beneficiary.
Not as an established.
Then I reached the final page.
My name appeared again.
Not as a beneficiary.
Not as an heir.
As a condition.
**If Vivienne Vale becomes the mother of Daniel Sterling's first child, the family must ensure she cannot exercise independent heir.
As a condition.
*If Vivienne Vale becomes the mother of Daniel Sterling's first child, the family must ensure she cannot exercise independent control over the Vale trust without Sterling oversight.*
I felt the room grow cold.
My father took the page from my hands.
“This is not a legitimate trust provision,” he control over the Vale trust without Sterling oversight.**
I felt the room grow cold.
My father took the page from my hands.
“This is not a legitimate trust provision,” he said.
“It's a plan. And it's a plan that may have been prepared years before the said.
“It's a plan. And it's a plan that may have been prepared years before the wedding.””
Margaret nodded.
“We found a draft dated shortly after Daniel's father died. The document was never executed wedding.””
Margaret nodded.
“We found a draft dated shortly after Daniel's father died. The document was never executed, but its existence is significant.””
I stared at my name.
They hadn't simply wanted to marry me into the family.
They had wanted to make, but its existence is significant.””
I stared at my name.
They hadn't simply wanted to marry me into the family.
They had wanted to make my future child part of a financial arrangement.
My pregnancy had turned a long-standing my future child part of a financial arrangement.
My pregnancy had turned a long-standing ambition into an urgent objective.
And the missing ring had given them the perfect distraction.
I looked at Margaret.
“Who wrote this?””
“The draft was prepared by ambition into an urgent objective.
And the missing ring had given them the perfect distraction.
I looked at Margaret.
“Who wrote this?””
“The draft was prepared by an outside consultant. The instructions came from Eleanor.””
an outside consultant. The instructions came from Eleanor.””
My father closed the file.
“Then we have enough to expand the investigation.””
I took a slow breath.
“No.””
Both of them looked at me.
“I want to know whatMy father closed the file.
“Then we have enough to expand the investigation.””
I took a slow breath.
“No.””
Both of them looked at me.
“I want to know what the ring actually represents. Not what Eleanor says it represents. Not what the family claims. I want the original records.””
Margaret hesitated.
“The historical records are incomplete. the ring actually represents. Not what Eleanor says it represents.
Not what the family claims. I want the original records.””
Margaret hesitated.
“The historical records are incomplete. We have found references to a private succession trust associated with the ring, but the underlying instrument is We have found references to a private succession trust associated with the ring, but the underlying instrument is missing.””
“Who last had it?””
“We don't know.””
My father looked toward the documents.
“Arthur may have known. His letter refers missing.””
“Who last had it?””
“We don't know.””
My father looked toward the documents.
“Arthur may have known. His letter refers to a separate agreement that wasn't included in the archive.””
“Then we find it,” I said.
Margaret nodded.
“We're tracing the records to a separate agreement that wasn't included in the archive.””
“Then we find it,” I said.
Margaret nodded.
“We're tracing the records now.””
At that moment, an officer entered with a new evidence report.
“Ms. Hale, we've recovered a storage device from Eleanor Sterling now.””
At that moment, an officer entered with a new evidence report.
“Ms. Hale, we've recovered a storage device from Eleanor Sterling's private safe.””
Margaret took the report.
Her eyes moved across the page.
Then she looked at me.
“The device contains a recording from three years ago.””
My heartbeat's private safe.””
Margaret took the report.
Her eyes moved across the page.
Then she looked at me.
“The device contains a recording from three years ago.””
My heartbeat quickened.
“What kind of recording?””
“An audio file dated the night of the charity event where you met Daniel.””
My father stepped closer.
“Play it.””
Margaret connected the device to the secure quickened.
“What kind of recording?””
“An audio file dated the night of the charity event where you met Daniel.””
My father stepped closer.
“Play it.””
Margaret connected the device to the secure computer.
A woman's voice filled the room.
Eleanor's.
*Once he marries her, we won't need to fight computer.
A woman's voice filled the room.
Eleanor's.
Once he marries her, we won't need to fight the Vale family in court. The child will make everything easier.
A man's voice answered.
I didn't recognize it.
And if Daniel refuses?
Eleanor laughed the Vale family in court. The child will make everything easier.*
A man's voice answered.
I didn't recognize it.
And if Daniel refuses?
Eleanor laughed softly.
He won't. He has no idea how much his father left behind.
The recording ended.
No one spoke.
Then a second file appeared on the softly.
He won't. He has no idea how much his father left behind.
The recording ended.
No one spoke.
Then a second file appeared on the screen.
It had been recorded three days later.
The same unknown man spoke first.
The boy is already attached to her. If you tell him what the trust really contains, he may walk away.
Eleanor screen.
It had been recorded three days later.
The same unknown man spoke first.
The boy is already attached to her. If you tell him what the trust really contains, he may walk away.
Eleanor's reply was immediate.
Then he must never know the truth.
My father looked at me.
“Vivienne, I think we need to find out who that man is.””
I stared at's reply was immediate.
Then he must never know the truth.
My father looked at me.
“Vivienne, I think we need to find out who that man is.””
I stared at the screen.
Because the final line of the recording had been spoken just before the file ended.
A line that changed everything.
*If the screen.
Because the final line of the recording had been spoken just before the file ended.
May you like
A line that changed everything.
If she discovers who her mother really was, none of this will matter anyway.
