Chapter 9: The Truth Buried Under Christmas
Nobody moved.
Victoria had a talent for creating silence.
She knew exactly how to drop a sentence and let it destroy everyone before she said another word.
Someone else died.
I looked at my mother.
She looked terrified.
Not confused.
Not surprised.
Terrified.
“Mom?””
She didn’t answer.
Thomas looked at Elena.
“You didn’t tell her.””
My mother shook her head.
“I was trying to protect her.””
I closed my eyes.
There it was again.
Protect.
Always protecting.
Always hiding.
“Who died?””
My voice echoed through the room.
Nobody answered.
Then Grandma Pearl spoke.
“Your uncle.””
I looked at her.
“My uncle?””
She nodded.
“Your mother’s brother.””
I frowned.
“I never had an uncle.””
Grandma looked away.
“Because he was erased.””
The words felt impossible.
“Why?””
Victoria smiled.
“Because he knew too much.””
My mother turned toward her.
“Don’t.””
Victoria ignored her.
“His name was Michael.””
The name meant nothing to me.
But everyone else reacted.
My father looked shocked.
“You knew Michael?””
Thomas nodded.
“Yes.””
My father looked at Elena.
“You never told me.””
My mother’s voice was barely audible.
“I was trying to keep everyone alive.””
I stared at her.
“What happened?””
Grandma Pearl walked toward the fireplace.
For the first time, she looked old.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
“Michael was the one who discovered Victoria’s plan.””
Victoria rolled her eyes.
“My plan?””
Grandma nodded.
“He found the financial records. The forged signatures. The messages.””
My mother continued quietly.
“He was going to expose her.””
“What happened to him?””
Silence.
Then Thomas answered.
“He died.””
My stomach dropped.
“How?””
Nobody looked at Victoria.
But everyone thought it.
Victoria laughed softly.
“You’re all blaming me for everything.””
My mother stared at her.
“Because you did everything.””
“No.””
Victoria shook her head.
“I made choices.””
She looked at me.
“Just like your mother.””
My mother stepped forward.
“You killed my brother.””
Victoria’s expression changed.
For the first time, real anger appeared.
“Be careful.””
“No.””
My mother’s voice trembled.
“You destroyed my family.””
Victoria smiled.
“You destroyed yours first.””
The words hurt.
Because they were designed to.
And they worked.
My mother looked away.
I hated that.
I hated that Victoria could still make her feel guilty.
I stepped between them.
“Stop.””
Everyone looked at me.
“I’m tired.””
My voice cracked.
“I’m tired of everyone using pain as an excuse.””
The room became silent.
“My mother made mistakes.””
I looked at Elena.
“She admitted it.””
Then I looked at Victoria.
“But you chose cruelty.””
Victoria stared at me.
“You think you understand everything?””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“But I understand enough.””
For the first time, Victoria looked at me differently.
Not like a child.
Like an enemy.
“You sound just like her.””
“Good.””
The answer surprised everyone.
Especially me.
My mother started crying.
But I continued.
“You spent years trying to erase her.””
I pointed at the Christmas ornaments.
“You destroyed the last pieces of her because you thought memories made her powerful.””
I stepped closer.
“But you were wrong.””
Victoria’s expression hardened.
“Why?””
“Because she didn’t need those ornaments.””
I looked at my mother.
“She had me.””
The room went quiet.
Then Grandma Pearl smiled faintly.
A small, proud smile.
But Victoria wasn’t finished.
She reached into her purse.
And pulled out a folder.
Everyone froze.
“What now?”” my father asked.
She placed it on the table.
“This.””
Nobody moved.
Thomas looked worried.
“What is that?””
Victoria smiled.
“The final proof.””
My mother went pale.
“No.””
I looked at her.
“What is it?””
Victoria opened the folder.
Inside was a document.
An official document.
She slid it toward me.
I picked it up.
My eyes scanned the page.
Then I stopped.
Because at the top were the words:
*PATERNITY TEST RESULTS*
My hands started shaking.
“No.””
Victoria smiled.
“Read it.””
I looked at my mother.
She was crying.
“Lily…”
I looked back at the paper.
The result was clear.
The name listed as my biological father…
was not Thomas.
Not Daniel.
Someone else.
Someone I had never heard of.
I couldn’t breathe.
“Who is this?””
Nobody answered.
Then Victoria leaned closer.
And whispered:
“The man your mother spent her entire life trying to forget.””
My mother covered her mouth.
Thomas looked horrified.
Grandma Pearl sat down.
And my father whispered:
“Impossible.””
I looked at the name again.
A stranger’s name.
A stranger who somehow was part of me.
Then my phone buzzed.
Everyone turned.
A message appeared on the screen.
Unknown number.
One sentence.
*Ask your mother why she buried the truth about your real father.*
I looked up.
May you like
And my mother was crying.
Because she knew who sent it.
