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The problem was that she liked her life in Cypress Cove, liked her small group of friends, the entertaining that they did, even her relationship with Val was enjoyable. Until this breech.
The way it had happened; Val’s niece, Bridget, in innocence started the conversation, not realizing where it would lead.
Bridget Benoit was the daughter of Val’s sister, Gretchen, who had married Thom Benoit, Emily Chastain’s brother. Emily Benoit Chastain was Gretchen’s sister-in-law, making Justin and Dave Bridget’s cousins.
And Val had raped Emily, who was Bridget’s aunt. But Val claimed it was a consensual act, even though he was twenty years older than Emily was. And it was his word against hers. And she was dead.
The way it came to light
“I had my DNA done last year,” Bridget said, telling the story. “Some guy in Mobile got in touch last week when he got the notification that we were first cousins, but I didn’t see how it was possible. His adoptive parents gave him their blessing to find his birth family and it came to me, my father, and my mother,”
“Howisthat possible?” Elizabeth asked. “He was their son?”
“No, not their son,” Bridget answered. “He’d be my brother then, not my cousin.”
“They denied knowing him?” Rose asked.
“No, not exactly,” Bridget said, her eyes smoldering. “They just said the man wasn’ttheirkid.”
It was a lightbulb moment for Elizabeth. “Because he’s not your brother. He’s your cousin. If he matches both your mother and your father, he must be your aunt and uncle’s child.”
Everyone turned to look at Val.
“Right.” Flushing, she realized she’d probably opened up a Pandora’s box. “Uncle Val, can you shed any light on this?”
It took a few minutes before Val could speak. “He’smyson.”
“But who’s his mother?” Elizabeth asked, her voice quivering so badly that she could barely understand what she said.
“Emily Benoit,” Val answered, watching her.
“Who’s that?” Elizabeth asked.
Rose nearly fainted but she pulled herself together to answer. “She was my friend, Emily, Vic Chastain’s late wife, Aunt Elizabeth.”
That evening, Rose waited for Vic to pick her up. She didn’t waste a minute.
“Did you know Emily gave a son up for adoption?”
He stared straight ahead, not taking his eyes off the road.
“Where did you hear it?”
She told him the story of Bridget’s DNA. “Val claimed he had an affair with Emily and of course, Elizabeth is so upset.”
“He raped Emily. It was no affair. Raped her and left for the Army.”
“What a guy,” Rose said. “He’s going to pursue a relationship with the man.”
“I can’t sit around here and be part of that,” Vic choked on the words. “It will mean telling my sons the truth. Bridget said she met Justin and Dave already, out at Maggie’s place.”
“Did you speak to Maggie about it yet?”
“No, Vic, what do you take me for? This is your personal business. What are you going to do?”
“If I have a choice, I’d run away. Pack up that big old place, lock the door, and run. Will you come with me?”
“Of course, but we don’t need to be so drastic,” she said, grabbing his hand. “Deep, cleansing breath.”
