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I immediately called your mother and told her to get Audrey and go to your grandfather’s vineyard. We had never been there, and no one knew about it. He purchased it not long before he passed.
Two hours later, the police came to my office. Your mother and sister had been in a car accident. They told me she had run a stop sign.
You knew your mother. She was the most cautious driver out there. There was no way she missed the sign.
Brooks’s shouldersshake with sobs as he finishes.
Audrey d-died o-on impact. The car was h-hit on her side. They said your mother had s-suffocated. H-how could s-she suffocate in a car a-accident?
I can't breathe.My lungs have closed up, and I'm unable to draw in a breath. Nate slams his hand on the keyboard, which finally stops the recording of horrors. He starts retching and turns to the side, dropping out of his chair until he’s on all fours. He reaches for a trash can I hadn’t noticed before and pukes right into it.
Chin dipped to my chest, I wrap my arms around my midsection and rock back and forth. In addition to the smell coming from my side, a sour taste coats my tongue, and black spots appear in my vision. I close my eyes and start counting—one, two, three, don’t throw up, four, five, six, don’t throw up, seven, eight...
I’m waiting for someone to burst in here and demand to know what’s going on. George, my father, or even Wes. But the door remains closed.
The gagging sounds from Nate have stopped, but neither of us speaks. I have no fucking clue what to do. It is clear what Brooks was saying, or rather not saying. Audrey and Payton's death wasn't an accident. Payton didn't die from the impact.
I turn my head in Nate's direction. One arm draped over the trash can, he lets it support his body. The other hand is holding his side, and he groans. "Rhys?"
"Yeah?"
There’s a pause and another groan. "I can’t get up."
Huh? Oh.
"'Kay, uh, hold on." Unfolding myself, I place my palms on the armrest and push myself into a standing position. When I'm sure my legs will support me and I won’t faceplant next to Nate, I bridge the short distance between us. I grab him under his arms and hoist him back into his chair.
"Oof. Dude, you're not that much taller; how can you be so heavy?" I grunt.
Nate chuckles. "Itth called dead weith." His words are slurred again. He should probably rest, but I doubt this will happen anytime soon.
"Should we finish...this?" I peer at the monitor with a frozen Brooks on it. Nate remains quiet for so long that I’m not sure he heard me. Suddenly, he hits the space bar, and we watch Brooks trying to regain control.
Lilly, if you are with your brother, I am so sorry that I never got the chance to come for you. Please know that you were always on my mind. On Payton’s mind. And that all we tried to do was keep you safe.
Holy shit,this video was for Nate and Lilly.
Nate, if Lilly is already part of your life, take care of your little sister. If not, please find her. You deserve to have your family in your life.
I'm sorry I wasn't a better father to either of you. I will never forgive myself for being the reason my wife and daughter died and that my son went to a mental hospital for something I caused. I’m so sorry. Please forgive me.
Nate, I never said it enough, but I'm proud of you.
I love you both with all my heart.
