nou ) Brooke confronts Bethany then a shocking secret sparks a slap!
THE SLAP THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
SHE THOUGHT THEIR FAMILY WAR HAD FINALLY BEGUN.
SHE DIDN’T KNOW…
THE REAL SECRET WAS ALREADY WAITING UPSTAIRS.
THE ARGUMENT
The room was filled with anger. Neither woman was willing to step back.
Bethany stood directly in front of Brooke, desperately trying to defend herself.
I never had your grandma arrested!
I have always stood by you. Whenever you needed money, I gave it to you. Whenever you had nowhere to turn, I was there!
I know you did it.
And as for the money, Bethany…
That money belonged to my father.
Larry.
It was never yours to give me.
THE MONEY
Bethany’s expression suddenly hardened.
Your father?
Your father was the one who kept taking money from my father and living off it!
And now you have the nerve to lecture me?
Brooke clenched her fists. She was barely controlling her anger.
Don’t you dare talk about my father like that!
Why not?
Because you think Larry was some kind of saint?
Stop.
THE SECRET
Bethany stepped closer. Her voice became colder.
You don’t know the truth about him.
I said stop!
Your father owed my family more than money, Brooke.
Brooke suddenly stopped.
What does that mean?
Bethany hesitated. For the first time, fear appeared in her eyes.
Some truths are better left buried.
BUT BROOKE WASN’T READY TO LET THE PAST STAY BURIED.
THE SLAP
Bethany moved closer.
You should be grateful for everything I’ve done for you.
Grateful?
You ruined my family.
I saved your family.
You destroyed it!
I protected you!
From what?
Bethany said nothing.
Brooke stepped closer.
From what, Bethany?
THAT SILENCE WAS THE ANSWER BROOKE HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR.
Brooke suddenly slapped Bethany across the face.
The room fell completely silent.
THE WARNING
Bethany slowly touched her cheek.
She wasn’t crying. She wasn’t shouting.
She was smiling.
You shouldn’t have done that.
Maybe I shouldn’t have.
But I don’t regret it.
Then you’ll regret what happens next.
Is that a threat?
Bethany reached into her purse.
Brooke immediately stepped backward.
What are you doing?
THE ENVELOPE
Bethany pulled out an old envelope.
She placed it slowly on the table.
I’m giving you one last chance.
What’s that?
Something your father left behind.
My father?
Something he never wanted you to see.
Brooke stared at the envelope.
Her name was written across the front.
And the handwriting was unmistakable.
IT WAS HER FATHER’S HANDWRITING.
THE LETTER
Brooke opened the envelope with trembling hands.
Inside was a single folded sheet of paper.
She unfolded it.
If you are reading this, then Bethany has finally told you enough to make you ask questions.
Do not trust her.
But more importantly…
Do not trust the person who gave you this letter.
Brooke stopped breathing.
She looked toward the doorway.
Bethany was already gone.
BROOKE SUDDENLY REALIZED THAT THE LETTER WASN’T A WARNING.
IT WAS A TRAP.
THE PHONE CALL
A strange sound came from behind Brooke.
Her phone suddenly rang.
UNKNOWN NUMBER.
Hello?
Silence.
Who is this?
A man’s slow breathing came through the phone.
Then a voice whispered.
You shouldn’t have opened the letter.
Who are you?
The call ended.
THE NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
THE PHOTOGRAPH
Brooke slowly looked toward the fireplace.
Something was sitting on the mantel.
A photograph.
Brooke picked it up.
The picture showed Larry standing beside Bethany’s father.
But there was someone else in the photograph.
A WOMAN BROOKE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
Brooke turned the photograph over.
Brooke’s eyes widened.
THE SAME GRANDMOTHER WHO HAD BEEN ARRESTED.
THE SAME GRANDMOTHER BETHANY CLAIMED SHE NEVER HAD ARRESTED.
THE TRUTH
Brooke suddenly understood.
THE ARGUMENT WAS NEVER REALLY ABOUT MONEY.
IT WAS NEVER REALLY ABOUT THE ARREST.
IT WASN’T EVEN ABOUT LARRY.
There was something much bigger hiding underneath everything.
Something that connected both families.
Something Larry had tried to protect Brooke from.
AND SOMEONE HAD SPENT YEARS MAKING SURE BROOKE NEVER DISCOVERED IT.
THE DOOR
Brooke grabbed her coat and rushed toward the front door.
But before she could open it…
The door slowly swung inward by itself.
Brooke stepped backward.
A shadow stood outside.
Who’s there?
The figure didn’t answer.
Instead, a familiar voice came from the darkness.
Brooke…
Brooke froze.
Her eyes filled with disbelief.
BROOKE
No…
The figure slowly stepped into the light.
BROOKE’S FACE TURNED COMPLETELY PALE.
She dropped the photograph.
It landed face-up on the floor.
THE PERSON STANDING IN FRONT OF HER…
WAS SOMEONE WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD.
BROOKE HAD SPENT YEARS BELIEVING HER FATHER’S DEATH WAS AN ACCIDENT.
SHE HAD BLAMED BETHANY.
SHE HAD BLAMED HER FAMILY.
BUT NOW…
SHE WAS LOOKING AT THE ONE PERSON WHO COULD FINALLY TELL HER THE TRUTH.
AND THAT PERSON WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD.
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