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“Do you know what this is about? Is the money for you?”
“No.” She wipes her tears and takes her seat. “It’s not for me. I just hate that I have to give you the information, since it means your parents are gone.”
She doesn’t know the first thing about my dad, but there’s no point in tarnishing her memory of a deceased person.
“Since I manage the bank, I cannot give you much information about the account because it’s not for you.”
“Are you sure about that, Ma’am? He is the sole heir to his parents’ the estate.”
She holds up a finger. “I have something for you that might assist though.” She unlocks her drawer and pulls out a mahogany, polished-wood box and slides it over. I unlatch the delicate gold clasp. My mom’s handwriting is the first thing I see. I open the letter with shaky hands.
Orby,
If you are reading this, it means I’m gone and didn’t have a chance to tell you myself. Please don’t hate me. I was only doing what I thought was best. Agatha was the only person I could trust at the time. During your fifteenth birthday party, I went to the store for more ice cream where I was cornered by a younger woman with a little boy who looked to be about nine or ten. She said Elmer refused to believe he was his son and would have them both killed if she brought it up again. She needed financial help, so she could finish college and have a better life for her son.
I saw us in them, and I couldn’t let them be exposed to the bullshit we had to endure to be Hales. I thought their quality of life would be better without Elmer. With the LeClaire’s assistance, I paid for her college and provided some financial assistance in ways Elmer couldn’t trace. If you’re at the bank, it means you’ve followed the money to your little brother’s trust fund. It’s set up so only he can get it when the time is right and Elmer is no longer able to stand in his way of taking his rightful place in the family.
Don’t blame Dondi and Mellie, they don’t know he’s your brother. They think they helped me with a dear friend. I tried to invite them to your events so you two could try to build a relationship on your own. The DNA results and some pictures are enclosed.
I love you with all my heart,
Mom
My hand is shaking when I pass the letter to Wyn. I hate that I missed out on a sibling, but I understand one hundred percent why she did it. I love that she still took care of them. I flip through the pictures of my birthday parties where a little boy seems to be in the pictures. I vaguely remember the kid talking to me about airplanes and video games. I wasn’t mean to him, but I also wasn’t engaging. He looks hopeful in the photos of the first few years, then blank, then resentful. I feel like I’ve been struck by lightning because I recognize the scowl the teenager in the last photo is wearing.
Wyn neatly folds the letter and puts it back in its envelope. He gathers the pictures I just looked through. I know he gets it when he gasps.
“Agatha, if I bring him here, he can officially have access to his trust fund and new life?”
“Yes.” She gives me a wide smile. “We did such a good job raising you.”
Caerwyn
To say I’m shocked is an understatement. We’re silent all the way back to the island, both of us processing different things. I played video games with that kid and made paper airplanes for him never knowing I was holding court with my own damn cousin. I know the look of regret in Oran’s eyes as he clutches the box. I understand Aunt Beth’s actions. Elmer rubbed me the wrong way often and I wasn’t his child.
Oran arranged to have him waiting for us upon our return. If I weren’t with him upon discovery, I’d swear he was fucking with me. We enter Oran’s office and close the door tightly. Oran takes his place behind his desk and I sit on our guests’ left. I still can’t fucking believe it.
Dallas fucking Parker. At least the hateful looks make sense.
“I take it Parker is your mother’s last name?” Oran asks, as he starts this awkward as fuck conversation.
Dallas’ thinly veiled resentment boils over at Oran’s question.
“I knew you two assholes knew who I was!” he growls at Oran.
Even I know that’s not the best approach. Oran slams his hands on his desk to cease whatever tirade Dallas was about to go on.
“Look! I’ve had an emotional day. Shut the fuck up and calm your ass down. You may have our blood, but not our upbringing. Don’t get initiated by one of us beating your ass.”
Dallas frowns at me and I just shrug. It’s not my preferred way to solve problems but I would kick his ass if it were necessary.
“Now we know why he frowns at us all the damn time,” I supply.
Oran pushes the box in his direction. “We have a field trip. Keep acting up and I won’t tell you where it is.”
Dallas’ hazel eyes fly over the letter and he looks at the pictures.
“You didn’t know,” he whispers to himself. “My mom always told me I was going to visit my family. I felt so left out when you guys wouldn’t include me, then the invites stopped coming.”
