CHAPTER 8 The Woman Everyone Thought Was Broken Held One Final Secret
After the board meeting ended, Ethan asked me to stay.
The boys were exploring the enormous rooftop garden outside the law office with two security guards.
For the first time in seven years...
We were completely alone.
Neither of us knew where to begin.
Finally, Ethan spoke.
"I'm sorry."
I looked out across Chicago's skyline.
"That isn't enough."
"I know."
"I missed seven years."
"You missed everything."
"My fault."
"No."
I finally turned toward him.
"It wasn't your fault."
"It wasn't mine either."
"It belonged to someone who spent decades teaching us both to doubt ourselves."
He nodded slowly.
Then something unexpected happened.
He reached into his jacket.
"I found these."
He placed a bundle of unopened letters on the table.
Thirty-six envelopes.
Every one addressed in my handwriting.
My knees nearly gave out.
"I wrote those."
"I know."
"The first one was after Benjamin took his first steps."
"The last one..."
"...was six months ago."
Ethan swallowed hard.
"They were hidden inside Mother's private safe."
Every letter I had mailed over seven years.
Every birthday photo.
Every Christmas card signed by the boys.
Every drawing with tiny handprints.
Every attempt to let Ethan know he had children.
Never delivered.
I collapsed into the chair, covering my face.
"I thought you ignored us."
He shook his head violently.
"I never received a single one."
He opened the first envelope carefully.
Inside was a crayon drawing.
Three stick figures.
One tall man.
One woman.
Three little boys.
Across the top, childish handwriting read:
"We saved a place for Daddy."
Ethan completely broke.
He cried harder than he had at the wedding.
"I would've come."
"I swear I would've come."
"I know."
It was the first time in seven years that I truly believed him.
Then Benjamin ran into the room holding an old photograph.
"Daddy!"
"Look!"
The picture showed Ethan carrying me in his arms on our honeymoon.
Benjamin smiled.
"You looked happy."
Ethan answered quietly.
"I was."
Benjamin looked between us.
"So..."
"Can we be a family now?"
Neither of us answered.
Because healing wasn't that simple.
But for the first time...
It no longer felt impossible.
That evening, however, another surprise arrived.
Arthur Pierce called.
"I've discovered something you need to see immediately."
"What is it?"
"It concerns Charles Montgomery's death."
My blood ran cold.
May you like
Arthur's voice became barely audible.
"I no longer believe it was an accident."
