Then the letter shifted.
Now you need to know the truth.When Daniel was old enough to understand it, I explained to him that I was not your mother. He struggled to accept that in a way I never could’ve anticipated.
Later, Ava and Jenna followed his lead because children often do. And instead of correcting him, I made a choice I regret every day.
I chose peace over fairness.
I stared at that sentence until the words blurred.
I thought if I kept things calm, it would get better. I thought they would grow out of it. And now, as I get sicker, I see that my past inaction has an even uglier consequence than I realized.
I made a choice I regret every day.
Downstairs, I heard Daniel’s voice rising again, muffled but angry.
I should’ve gone back. Instead, I sat in that room and read every word.
I’ve heard them whispering in the hallway when they think I’m asleep. They’ve been dividing up my possessions like I’m already dead. They might’ve stayed close to me, but not always for the reasons I once believed.
That line sat heavy in my chest.
And I realized something too late. The one I kept at a distance was the only one I trusted. You built a life without expecting me to carry you, Melissa. You gave me courtesy when I had not earned it and kindness when I gave you too little.
Then I reached the part that changed everything.
I’ve heard them whispering in the hallway when they think I’m asleep.They will expect you to give it all back to them. They will gang up and try to bully you into it, just like they used to when you all were younger. I am not asking you to be fair. I am asking you to be honest in a way I never was.
I folded the letter.
For a long minute, I sat there in the quiet room of a woman who had loved me badly, and maybe truly, but far too late.
Then I stood and went downstairs.
She’d asked me to be honest, and I knew exactly what I needed to do next.
They will gang up and try to bully you into it.
They were still arguing when I reached the living room.
I held up the letter. « She left me something else. »
They all froze.
I unfolded the paper and started reading.
When I read the line, « I chose peace over fairness, » Daniel exploded.
« This is a trick! It’s another part of your plan to steal everything from us. »
« She left me something else. »
I ignored him and kept reading.
By the time I finished, Daniel’s face was red with rage. Avan and Jenna stood together, frowning, shooting glances between Daniel and me like they were waiting to see who would win.
Daniel shook his head. « This doesn’t change anything. »
