Chapter 3 - The Man Mom Asked Me to Trust
Owen stood beside Pastor Daniel.
“What else did she leave?”
Pastor Daniel looked at him.
“She left something for you too.”
I frowned.
“For Owen?”
Owen looked surprised.
Pastor Daniel handed him a small wooden box.
He opened it.
Inside was a key.
A very old key.
“What is this?”
“A storage unit.”
My heart skipped.
“What storage unit?”
“Your mother rented it six months before she died.”
I stared.
“Why didn't anyone tell me?”
“She wanted you to find it after the wedding.”
Mia stood.
“What is inside?”
Pastor Daniel shook his head.
“I don't know.”
Owen looked at me.
“Do you want to go?”
I nodded.
The wedding ceremony was postponed.
The guests were sent to the reception hall.
Mia disappeared into the bridal room.
Owen and I drove to the storage facility.
The unit was small.
Dust covered everything.
There were boxes.
Old photographs.
Medical records.
Letters.
And a red suitcase.
My name was written on it.
I opened it.
Inside were newspaper clippings.
Every major event in my life.
My graduation.
My first promotion.
My first home.
My engagement.
Mom had kept everything.
But there was something else.
A thick folder labeled:
MIA
I froze.
Owen touched my shoulder.
“You don't have to open it.”
“Yes, I do.”
Inside were letters.
Letters Mia had written to Mom.
Some were angry.
Some were cruel.
Some were heartbreaking.
The oldest was dated twenty years ago.
Mom, why does Lila always get everything?
Another.
I wish I had never been born second.
Another.
I hate her because everyone loves her.
My heart hurt.
Then I found Mom's replies.
She never blamed Mia.
She always answered with love.
One letter made me cry.
Your sister isn't your enemy, Mia. She is the person who would give you everything if you asked.
I looked at Owen.
“Why didn't Mom show me these?”
“Because they weren't yours.”
He was right.
Then I found one final letter.
It was addressed to both of us.
You will eventually discover why I kept you apart from one particular part of your father's family.
My heart stopped.
Dad's family?
Mom continued.
Your father had an older brother. His name was Richard.
I frowned.
I had never heard of him.
Richard was responsible for the financial collapse that destroyed our family when you were children.
I looked at Owen.
“Financial collapse?”
He nodded.
“Keep reading.”
He stole from your father's company. He blamed your father. Your father took the blame to protect him.
I couldn't believe it.
Afterward, Richard disappeared.
Then the final line:
But he didn't disappear forever.
A sound came from behind us.
We turned.
The storage facility door was open.
Someone had entered.
May you like
A man's voice echoed from the hallway.
“You shouldn't have found that.”
