That those five simple words would become the beginning of an entirely new chapter.
A chapter that would uncover secrets I had never imagined…
And force me to question everything I thought I knew about my husband, my sister, and the day my world fell apart.
Chapter Three: The Secrets She Had Been Carrying
For three days, I ignored Lily’s message.
Then for three more.
Every time my phone lit up, my stomach tightened. I knew it was her before I even looked at the screen.
Sometimes it was only a single sentence.
“Please let me explain.”
Other times it was longer.
“I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to hear the truth.”
I deleted every message without replying.
As far as I was concerned, there was nothing left to say.
Nothing she could tell me would erase the image burned into my memory.
My husband.
My sister.
My bed.
Some memories never fade.
—
Life became mechanical.
I woke before sunrise.
Prepared breakfast for Emma and Joshua.
Walked them to school.
Went to work.
Returned home.
Cooked dinner.
Helped with homework.
Pretended everything was normal.
Then, after the children fell asleep, I locked myself in my bedroom and cried until I had no tears left.
No one saw that part of me.
Not even Sarah.
During the day, I looked strong.
At night, I completely fell apart.
—
One Friday afternoon, Emma climbed onto my lap while I was reading documents from my lawyer.
“Mom?”
