Chapter 5: The Truth My Mother Hid
I didn’t go home that night.
I couldn’t.
Every room in my father’s house felt different.
The photographs on the walls.
The family portraits.
The memories I thought I understood.
Everything had become suspicious.
I drove to my mother’s apartment and found her sitting at the kitchen table.
She knew immediately.
“You heard something.””
I closed the door.
“Did you know?””
Her face changed.
“Maya…”
“Did you know Vanessa would say that?””
She looked down.
That was an answer.
My heart sank.
“What secret?””
My mother stayed silent.
“Mom.””
She closed her eyes.
Then she whispered:
“I knew this day would come.””
I sat across from her.
“Why does everyone keep saying things like that?””
Because everyone knew.
Everyone except me.
My whole life had been a room full of locked doors.
And I was the only person without a key.
My mother opened the drawer again.
But this time, she didn’t pull out documents.
She pulled out a photograph.
An old one.
She placed it on the table.
I picked it up.
It was my father.
My mother.
And another woman.
A woman I didn’t recognize.
“Who is she?””
My mother looked at the picture.
“Her name was Rebecca.””
I waited.
My mother continued.
“Before Vanessa came into your father’s life, there was Rebecca.””
I frowned.
“What happened?””
My mother looked away.
“Your father had another relationship.””
The words hit me.
Another relationship.
I stared at the picture.
“You mean he cheated?””
She nodded.
“When I found out, I wanted to leave.””
“Then why didn’t you?””
She smiled sadly.
“Because I was pregnant with you.””
I looked at her.
“You stayed because of me?””
“No.””
She shook her head.
“I stayed because I hoped your father would change.””
Her fingers tightened around the photograph.
“But he didn’t.””
I looked at the picture again.
“So Vanessa knew about Rebecca?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
My mother hesitated.
“Because Vanessa was the person who introduced them.””
I froze.
“What?””
My mother nodded.
“Vanessa was Rebecca’s friend.””
The room went completely silent.
I felt like the ground had shifted again.
“So Vanessa knew my father was cheating?””
“Yes.””
“And she still married him?””
“Yes.””
“Why?””
My mother looked at me.
“Because Vanessa doesn’t believe love is something you find.””
She paused.
“She believes love is something you win.””
I thought about the graduation hall.
The seat.
The smile.
The way she looked at my mother’s name before tearing it apart.
Everything suddenly made sense.
She wasn’t just replacing my mother.
She was proving she could.
My phone buzzed.
Another message.
This time from Vanessa.
*Your mother is telling you a very convenient version of the story. Ask her why Rebecca disappeared.*
I showed my mother.
Her face went pale.
“Maya, don’t listen to her.””
“Why?””
“Because she twists things.””
“But is it true?””
My mother looked away.
I hated that.
I hated the silence.
“Mom.””
Finally, she said:
“Yes.””
My stomach tightened.
“What happened to Rebecca?””
My mother stood and walked toward the window.
“She died.””
The words were quiet.
But they destroyed the room.
“What?””
My mother turned back.
“It was ruled an accident.””
“Ruled?””
She didn’t answer.
“Mom.””
She sat down.
“Rebecca was driving home late one night. Her car went off the road.””
“That’s horrible.””
“It was.””
“But why does Vanessa care?””
My mother looked at the folder.
“Because Rebecca left behind evidence.””
My heartbeat increased.
“What evidence?””
My mother didn’t answer.
Instead, she walked to another cabinet.
She pulled out a small envelope.
Inside was a flash drive.
I stared at it.
“What is that?””
“Something Rebecca gave me before she died.””
My eyes widened.
“Why would she give you something?””
My mother looked at me.
“Because she knew she was in danger.””
A cold silence filled the apartment.
I looked at the flash drive.
The tiny object suddenly felt heavier than anything I had ever held.
“What’s on it?””
My mother whispered:
“The reason your father wanted me gone.””
I reached for it.
But before I touched it, there was a knock on the door.
My mother froze.
Not surprised.
Terrified.
Another knock.
Harder.
“Maya.””
Her voice dropped.
“Hide the drive.””
I looked at the door.
“Who is it?””
My mother didn’t answer.
The handle moved.
Someone was trying to open it.
My heart raced.
Then a familiar voice came from the other side.
“Angela.””
My blood went cold.
Daniel.
My father was outside.
And he wasn’t alone.
Because another voice followed.
A woman’s voice.
May you like
Vanessa.
“Open the door.””
