Chapter 6: The Truth My Parents Had Buried
Josephine led us into an empty consultation room.
“Samuel, tell them all of it.”
My father placed the canceled check on the table.
“Florence’s husband, Arthur, brought that money to the hospital.”
Lucas shook his head.
“He told me it came from his development fund.”
“He gave me the check after you left.
He said it was a personal advance.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I knew what you had already risked.”
I pressed both hands against the table.
“Did either of you ever intend to tell me?”
Josephine’s eyes filled.
“You were nineteen.
Then you were building your life.
Every year we waited, telling ourselves the next year would be easier.”
“You let me believe Lucas had rescued everyone by himself.”
Lucas pushed back his chair.
“Don’t blame them.
I asked them to keep quiet.”
“Why?”
“Because you had already given up one college to stay near Dad.
I wasn’t letting you give up another.”
My voice broke.
“You all made choices for me, and somehow I was the only one who didn’t know.”
Josephine reached for me.
I stepped back, but my heel caught the chair.
She caught my shoulders before I fell.
“Sweetheart, be angry,” she whispered.
“But don’t think for one moment that we kept quiet because we didn’t trust you.”
“Then why?”
“Because we were ashamed that saving your father had cost your brother so much.”
The tears came before I could stop them.
Josephine held me while Lucas turned away and wiped his face.
Samuel placed his hand over mine.
“I am sorry, Giselle.
No more secrets.”
A court officer opened the door.
“The emergency hearing is beginning.”
Inside the hearing room, Florence’s attorney presented the check and altered agreement.
“The Carter family accepted payment and surrendered its rights,” he said.
Daniel stood.
“That is not the document I prepared.”
Florence smiled.
“Mr.
Price was dismissed yesterday for misconduct.”
Daniel connected his laptop to the monitor.
“This file was created seven years ago.
Page four was modified eleven days ago from an account assigned to Christopher Hale.”
Christopher stood.
“Anyone could have used that account.”
“Sit down,” the judge ordered.
The doors opened again.
A young woman hurried inside.
I recognized her as the cousin who had laughed in the chapel.
“My name is Paige Hale,” she said.
“I have a recording.”
Christopher’s face hardened.
“Paige, leave.”
“You told everyone Giselle was marrying you for money.
Then I heard you laughing about taking her father’s land.”
“I paid your rent for a year.”
“And you reminded me every month.”
Paige put her phone on the evidence table.
Christopher’s voice filled the room.
“Once Giselle signs the waiver, her claim disappears.
The marriage makes it look voluntary.”
Then Florence’s voice followed.
“If Samuel remembers the second envelope, we’re finished.”
The judge stopped the recording.
“What second envelope?”
Samuel closed his eyes.
May you like
Josephine reached beneath the sleeve of her blue dress.
“I know exactly where it is.”
