Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
“Be careful what you wish for, Tarian,” he addresses me while looking out at the garden that I know is several acres in size. “When I was younger, I learned that not all truths should be known. Have you ever considered that it might be better to remain ignorant, rather than learn all the dark and treacherous secrets that lie hidden in Tynewood?”
Ignoring him, I respond, “I want to know why you killed my father.”
Thane is silent for so long I’m almost certain he’s going to ignore me, but then he turns to me and shakes his head.
“Your mother used to beg for death because your father was so cruel and had a heavy hand when he got angry. She didn’t want anyone to know about his abuse, so to stop her friends asking questions, she made everyone believe she was cold, heartless, and selfish, but she’s none of those things.”
He grows quiet, but I don’t say anything. I’m far too enthralled by what he’s telling me to speak.
“It finally got too much for her,” he continues. “She turned to me for support and so began our affair. Eventually, she wanted to be with me, but when she asked for a divorce, he refused. I believe it was then that she decided she wanted my brother out of the way.”
“Why didn’t she just leave. She could’ve run away with you.” I’m guessing it wasn’t that simple. Nothing is ever that cut and dry, but I have to ask anyway.
“I wish she’d left him. I promised her everything she wanted, yet she refused. Most of the answers to your questions are on the drive I’ve given you. If you’d like to sit at my desk and read through it, you’re welcome,” he responds, gesturing with his hand toward his office.
I want to accept his offer, but I don’t trust him. Even though he no longer has any reason to lie, I know I can’t take my uncle at his word. I learned that a long time ago.
“Thane, why did you abandon me after the accident?” Watching for his reaction, I continue, “And why did my mother fake her own death and leave me? If you had so much influence over her, why didn’t you make her see reason? She didn’t have to pretend to be dead. Why didn’t you persuade her to stay in Tynewood?”
He turns away from me, and if I’m not mistaken, I see a flicker of pain in his expression. I want to know what it means, but the moment passes too quickly for me to dwell on it.
“I have something to sort out,” Thane tells me, ignoring my questions. “Sit. Read all you need to. The information on that drive will give you far better answers than I can. I’ll be back in an hour.”
He leaves me standing on the patio, and I know I have to do this. While Grecia’s resting, I need to get to the bottom of my family’s dark secrets, once and for all.
CHAPTER 11
TARIAN
I slip into Thane’s office chair and tap the track pad of his laptop to wake it. Inserting the USB, I click on the small yellow folder that pops up and find a myriad of files, including three letters each labeled with a different name—Thane, Tarian, and Theodore.
The files contain all our details, right down to blood type and medical backgrounds. It must be information my mother has gathered because I doubt Thane would need any of this. It does beg the question, though, if Thane knew what my mother was planning, why didn’t he try to stop her.
There’s a folder with a video file attached, but I don’t know if I want to open it. The thought of seeing her face and hearing her voice makes me nervous. I’ve never been scared in my life, not even when I found out my parents had died. I’ve always been strong, until now.
Standing up, I walk over to the bar and pour myself a double shot of whiskey. Then returning to the desk, I settle back down in the chair, gulp down my drink, and take a long, deep breath.
Thankfully I’m alone. I’m not sure I’d be able to do this if Grecia was watching. The thought of her seeing me like this doesn’t sit well. I’m willing to show her my strength, but showing her any weakness is far too intimate.
Opening the letter labeled with my father’s name, I sit back and read the contents. The words slowly sink into my soul, tarnishing and darkening it to the point of pain. According to my mother’s version of events, she endured violence I never knew my father was capable of inflicting. Instances of the abuse she suffered riddle her confession about the man she married.
Growing up, I never saw my parents fight. Never heard them argue. But what my mother’s describing here makes him sound like a tyrant. I continue scanning her words until I reach the last paragraph, which I read in full.