Chapter 7: The Truth My Mother Buried
My mother was waiting when I returned to the hospital.
She knew immediately something was wrong.
“Mama’s instinct,” she said softly.
I sat beside her bed.
“Richard said something.””
Her expression changed.
“What?””
“He said you lied about Dad.””
Silence.
A painful silence.
Then she looked away.
“I knew this day would come.””
My heart sank.
“You did?””
She nodded.
“Because I kept something from you.””
I felt my chest tighten.
“What?””
She reached into the drawer beside her bed.
She pulled out a small envelope.
“I wrote this years ago.””
I stared at it.
“For me?””
“Yes.””
“Why didn’t you give it to me?””
“Because I hoped I never would need to.””
I opened it.
Inside was another photograph.
My father.
My mother.
And Richard.
But this time, they weren’t smiling.
They were standing outside a courthouse.
Behind the picture was a date.
The day before my father disappeared.
“What happened?””
My mother closed her eyes.
“Your father was going to confess.””
“About the fraud?””
“Yes.””
“Then why hide it?””
She looked at me.
“Because I was afraid.””
“Of Richard?””
“No.””
That answer shocked me.
“Then who?””
She whispered:
“Of your father.””
I froze.
My mother continued.
“Daniel didn’t just discover Richard’s crimes.””
She swallowed.
“He helped create them.””
The words hurt.
Even though I knew my father wasn’t perfect.
“Why did you stay with him?””
“Because I believed he changed.””
She looked down.
“And because of you.””
I said nothing.
“When Daniel decided to confess, Richard threatened him.””
“What happened?””
“They fought.””
Her voice became quiet.
“Daniel disappeared that night.””
I stared at her.
“Did Richard hurt him?””
“I don’t know.””
“You don’t know?””
She shook her head.
“Because when I arrived, Daniel was gone.””
The room felt cold.
“But you told everyone he left.””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Because Richard showed me something.””
“What?””
“A recording.””
My heart raced.
“Of what?””
She looked at me.
“Your father saying he planned to run.””
I remembered Richard’s accusation.
Your mother lied.
“Was it fake?””
My mother looked away.
“I don’t know.””
That was the answer that scared me most.
Not yes.
Not no.
I don’t know.
A knock interrupted us.
Detective Reed entered.
“We found something.””
He placed a folder down.
“Richard’s lawyer contacted us.””
My mother looked confused.
“Why?””
“Because Richard wants a deal.””
I frowned.
“A deal?””
“He claims he has proof that Daniel Parker was the mastermind.””
My mother went pale.
Detective Reed continued.
“He says Claire helped cover it up.””
Nobody spoke.
Then my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Again.
I answered.
“Hello?””
A voice whispered.
Not Richard.
Not my father.
A woman.
“Ethan.””
I froze.
“Who is this?””
The woman started crying.
“I knew your mother.””
My grip tightened.
“What do you mean?””
“I was there the night your father disappeared.””
My mother sat up.
“Who is it?””
I put the phone on speaker.
The woman whispered:
“My name is Sarah Hale.””
Detective Reed looked shocked.
“Hale?””
The woman continued:
“I’m Richard’s sister.””
Nobody moved.
Then she said:
“Your father didn’t disappear.””
May you like
A pause.
“He was buried.””
