My Stepmother Said Our Mother Left Us 15 Years Ago… Until I Heard Her Laugh and Whisper, “They Never Suspected Anything

I covered my mouth with my hand. Did those words mean what I thought they did? Had Amber planned my mother’s disappearance?

“Those mobile texts you helped me forge looked super believable. She fled, exactly as I expected she might, yet the mail began arriving twelve months afterward.”

I felt the urge to vomit.

But the most important thing was that I needed to find that mail!

“Sweetie, I need to hang up,” Amber said suddenly. “Yeah, it is Mother’s Day with my loyal kid. Wish me luck.”

I stared at the flowers in my hands. Then I glanced toward the kitchen doorway, watching Amber’s dark silhouette move across the tiles, humming a quiet tune.

And I realized, with complete calm, that this morning would not turn out to be the holiday she expected.

My knees nearly gave out, but I forced myself forward.

I walked straight into the kitchen wearing the biggest smile I could manage.

“Have a wonderful Mother’s Day, Amber!”

She turned quickly, looking startled. For a brief moment her expression twitched, then settled back into a friendly look.

“Oh, honey! I missed the sound of you coming in.”

“The door was unlocked. I brought your favorites. From Lucy and me.”

She took the bouquet directly from my hands.

“Where is Lucy? She is supposed to be here.”

“She is working back-to-back shifts and could not get away. She sends her love and promised she will make it up to you.”

“Well… okay. Have a seat. Your dad is going to be back shortly, and the quiche is almost ready.”

“Actually, may I use the restroom first?”

“Of course, sweetie. You know where it is.”

I walked down the hallway slowly, acting as if my heart was not breaking. I passed the bathroom door. I kept going.

A long time ago, Amber had declared the hallway closet strictly off-limits. She claimed she stored her private things inside, yet I guessed that would be exactly where I might find Mom’s letters.

I gently pulled the closet door open.

It was packed with Amber’s belongings — mostly older designer jackets and expensive purses.

Right on the floor, three stacked shoeboxes caught my eye.

My heart pounded as I dropped to my knees.

I lifted the lid of the first box.