Chapter 2 – A Truth Buried for Twenty Years
Emily spent three days in the hospital.
The doctors managed to stop the premature contractions.
The baby was safe.
Barely.
Nathan never left her bedside.
Not once.
On the fourth morning...
Emily finally asked the question that had haunted her.
"Why did you believe Cassandra for so long?"
Nathan looked out the window.
Because the answer shamed him.
"My mother arranged our engagement."
"Cassandra knew everyone."
"She knew exactly what people wanted to hear."
"I thought I was protecting the family's reputation."
Emily smiled sadly.
"And instead..."
"You abandoned us."
Nathan lowered his head.
"I know."
"I'll regret that for the rest of my life."
Before Emily could answer...
Another visitor arrived.
An elderly woman wearing a gray coat.
Nathan immediately stood.
"Grandmother."
Margaret Ashford walked straight toward Emily.
Then, to everyone's surprise...
She bowed.
"I owe you an apology."
Emily looked shocked.
"You owe me nothing."
Margaret shook her head.
"I knew Cassandra's character years ago."
"I ignored the warning signs."
"I chose appearances over truth."
Tears filled her eyes.
"But I won't make that mistake again."
She reached into her purse.
Removing a faded photograph.
Emily stared.
Her heart nearly stopped.
The woman in the picture...
Looked exactly like her late mother.
Margaret whispered,
"Because your mother..."
"...was my daughter."
Silence.
Nathan blinked.
Emily couldn't breathe.
Margaret's tears finally spilled over.
"You aren't an outsider."
"You were born into this family."
May you like
"And twenty years ago..."
Someone stole that future from you.
