Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79197 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 396(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
I watched as he got into the car and continued to stare until he turned down a street and was out of sight. Glancing down to the letter, I took a deep breath and opened it.
Dear Emma,
If you’re reading this, it’s because I’ve passed away. When I found out I had cancer, I felt relieved. To know I might be able to escape the madness I’d lived with the last forty years was a welcome thing. Please don’t judge me for that.
I’m sorry I never helped you. I’m sorry my attempts at warning you in the beginning weren’t good enough for you to see. I’m sorry I raised my boys in that environment. My husband wasn’t a good man, and rarely showed any kindness. If Ben did one thing right, he kept his brother away from most of the horrible things their father did to me.
I’m not writing you to make excuses, I’m writing to tell you I think you are the bravest woman I’ve ever met. You got out, and I want you to know I’m so proud of you, Emma.
Not all men are like Ben and his father. I know you will find true love and happiness. I know you will be stronger for this, and I know that someday you will be the mother that neither your own mother, nor I, could ever be for you.
You are a survivor, Emma…do not ever forget. When the time comes, and you’ll know when it happens, take the step even though it may feel like a giant leap. You can do it. After all, you’ve done much harder things in your life.
I love you,
Lee
Staring down at the letter, I felt my entire body tremble. I wasn’t sure if I was angry, sad, confused, or terrified.
I’d always known deep inside that his mom and brother knew exactly what was going on, but never wanted to admit to myself that they’d just let it happen. My own mother told me it had to be something I was doing to make Ben so angry. Was I not giving him enough sex? Was it the fact that I couldn’t get pregnant again after the miscarriage? Everything had been my fault in her eyes.
I never told a soul I’d started taking birth control pills after my miscarriage. I didn’t dare risk getting pregnant again with his child. Risk tying me to a man who would possibly hurt my own child.
Now I’d found out everyone in my life who was close to me knew how Ben had treated me. And no one cared enough to do anything. I crumpled the paper with angry hands and threw it into a trash can.
“Emma?”
The sound of Aiden’s voice made me turn, but not before I swiped at the stray tear that managed to slip free.
“Who was that? Are you okay?”
Squaring my shoulders, I smiled. “I’m fine. And it was someone from my past, my ex-brother-in-law, Bill.” I quickly walked by him, but he reached out and gently took my hand.
“Please talk to me, Emma.”
Trying to keep my voice steady, I replied, “Everything is fine. Bill was only here to deliver a letter. He’s leaving to head back to Texas. You won’t be needing me today, will you?”
Aiden’s brows drew in tight. “What?”
“With Hadley? I was planning on leaving for the day, since it’s Sunday and technically my day off. As your nanny.”
Okay, I shouldn’t have thrown that last bit in.
His fingers jerked through his dark hair as he let out an exasperated breath. “I…the other night… I mean, yesterday morning…” He looked away, then blurted, “Why did he kiss you?”
“What?”
“This Bill guy. He kissed you. Why? It wasn’t really Ben was it?”
I laughed. “God, no. It was Ben’s brother, and his mother had left a letter for me before she passed away.”
“And the kiss?”
“Aiden, you made it very clear this morning where I stand in your life. I’m the nanny. Not a friend or a part of the family, which is fine. I’m fine with that. So why don’t we keep my private life just that? Private.”
Pulling my arm from his grasp, I walked back into the church. My heart was racing, and all I wanted to do was run. Run far away from everyone and everything.
Instead, I lifted my chin and walked back into the roomful of women I knew were fixin’ to pounce on me.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
EMMA - THE SECRET
Tammy rushed up to me first. “Are you okay?”
Smiling and putting on the practiced look of my life is perfect, I nodded.
“Yes. My ex-mother-in-law passed away and Bill, my ex-brother-in-law, was here to give me a letter she had left for me.”
Tammy stared at me, as if waiting for me to crack. “That was it? He couldn’t mail it? He had to come all the way here?”
I nodded. “He wanted to tell me in person. That’s all.”