THE PROMISE HE KEPT
Mara took a slow breath.
Then she whispered,
“Owen didn’t marry me because he felt sorry for me.”
I stared at her.
“I know that.”
“No, Claire. You don’t.”
Her fingers tightened around mine.
“He married me because he believed I was the only person who could protect you.”
My heart stopped.
“Protect me from what?”
Mara turned her face toward the hallway.
“Your parents.”
I couldn’t understand.
“My parents loved Owen.”
“They loved the son they thought they knew.”
She reached into her handbag and pulled out a small envelope.
“Owen gave me this two weeks before he died.”
My hands trembled as I opened it.
Inside was a letter.
The handwriting was unmistakably his.
Claire, if you’re reading this, Mara finally had to tell you. Please don’t blame her. I asked her to keep this secret until after I’m gone.
I looked at Mara.
“What was he afraid of?”
She swallowed.
“Your father discovered something about you when you were a teenager.”
“What?”
“Owen found out that your parents had been hiding a serious family secret from you.”
My heart began pounding.
“What secret?”
Mara hesitated.
Then she said,
“You weren’t supposed to be their only child.”
I stared at her.
“What does that mean?”
“Owen had been trying to find your biological records for years.”
I shook my head.
“That makes no sense. I grew up with them.”
“I know.”
She pulled another document from the envelope.
“This is why Owen never told you.”
I unfolded it.
It was an old hospital record.
My name was written across the top.
But beneath it was another name.
A second child.
Born on the same day.
My twin.
I couldn’t breathe.
“That’s impossible.”
Mara shook her head.
“Owen believed your parents had separated you from your twin when you were born.”
“Why?”
“Because your twin was born with a medical condition your parents were terrified would bring shame to the family.”
I stared at the document.
“Where is she?”
Mara’s voice became barely audible.
“Owen found her.”
My eyes filled with tears.
“When?”
“Three months before he died.”
I looked at Mara.
“Then why didn’t he tell me?”
She lowered her head.
“Because he wanted to make sure she was safe first.”
“Safe from who?”
Mara’s expression changed.
“Your father.”
The corridor suddenly became quiet.
Then we heard footsteps approaching.
Mara grabbed my hand.
“Claire, your parents cannot know that you have this letter.”
“Why?”
“Because Owen discovered they have been looking for your twin too.”
I stared at her in horror.
“Why would they suddenly care?”
Mara squeezed my fingers.
“Because your twin inherited something.”
Before I could ask what, the waiting-room doors opened.
My parents walked in.
My mother’s eyes were red.
My father looked directly at me.
Then his gaze dropped toward the envelope in my hand.
His face went completely pale.
Mara whispered,
“He knows.”