Chapter 2: The Secret No One Knew
Chapter 2: The Secret No One Knew
"It happened at the hospital," Richard said.
Marianne looked confused.
"What hospital?"
Richard glanced toward Evelyn.
She nodded, giving him permission to continue.
"My company was sponsoring a children's cancer fundraiser."
"I saw Evelyn there."
"She wasn't volunteering."
"She was sitting beside her husband."
Lily looked at her mother.
"Dad?"
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
"Your father had already been diagnosed."
The room grew painfully quiet.
"He had terminal cancer."
Lily covered her mouth.
"You never told me."
"You were only twelve."
"I wanted you to remember your father smiling."
Richard continued.
"I visited a few times after that."
"Only to help."
Marianne folded her arms.
"And the bracelet?"
Richard's voice cracked.
"The last Christmas before David died..."
"I wanted Evelyn to have something valuable."
"She refused money."
"So I gave her the bracelet."
"I told her it had belonged to someone who no longer needed it."
Marianne stared at him.
"You lied to both of us."
"Yes."
Richard's shoulders slumped.
"I thought hiding the truth would protect everyone."
"It only hurt everyone instead."
Evelyn slowly placed the bracelet into Marianne's trembling hands.
"I tried to return it after David passed away."
"You refused to meet me."
"I thought it was better to disappear."
Marianne looked at the bracelet for a long time.
Then she whispered,
"I spent years hating an invisible thief."
"When the person who stole my trust was standing beside me every morning."
May you like
Richard couldn't argue.
Because she was right.
