Chapter 4 - My Mother’s SecretMy mother took me into a private room.
She closed the door.
Then she cried.
Not the elegant tears she had shed during the ceremony.
Real tears.
“I should have told you.”
“Told me what?”
She sat down.
“Your father didn't trust Natalie.”
I stared at her.
“Why?”
“Because she knew about the affair.”
I felt sick.
“Grant?”
She nodded.
“How long?”
“Before you met him.”
I sat down.
My mother continued.
“Natalie discovered Grant was stealing from a subsidiary.”
“What?”
“Small amounts at first.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Your father did.”
I froze.
“What?”
“He confronted Grant.”
“And?”
“Grant threatened him.”
My mother's voice cracked.
“Your father was afraid Grant would destroy the family.”
I remembered Dad's final months.
His anxiety.
The way he'd started locking his office.
The way he'd told me:
Claire, never sign anything without Paul.
I'd thought it was business advice.
It was a warning.
“Why did you stay silent?”
My mother looked ashamed.
“Because Natalie begged me.”
I closed my eyes.
My own sister.
My own mother.
My fiancé.
All connected.
Then the door opened.
Natalie stood there.
She looked broken.
“Claire.”
I turned.
“Get out.”
She cried.
“I didn't know how to stop.”
“You had three years.”
“I loved him.”
“So did I.”
She looked down.
“I know.”
“Then why?”
“Because he told me you had everything.”
I stared at her.
“He said your father would always choose you.”
She wiped her tears.
“I was jealous.”
At least she finally said it.
“Jealous of what?”
“Everything.”
She looked at me.
“Your confidence. Your relationship with Dad. The company. The trust.”
She laughed bitterly.
“You always walked into rooms and everyone looked at you.”
I shook my head.
“You were my sister.”
“I know.”
Then she whispered:
“But there is something you don't know.”
“What?”
“Grant wasn't the one who started this.”
My heart stopped.
“Who was?”
May you like
Natalie looked toward the door.
“Your uncle Robert.”
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