Chapter 27: The Woman Who Knew Too Much
I couldn't accept it.
I refused to.
Bernice?
The woman who protected Kiara?
The woman who held my hand when my family collapsed?
The woman who gave me the first clue?
It didn't make sense.
Angela watched my reaction.
"You trusted her.""
I looked at her.
"Yes.""
"Your father did too.""
The words hurt.
"Then why?""
Angela looked at the photograph.
"Because sometimes the person closest to the truth is the person who can hide it best.""
I folded the photo.
"I need proof.""
Angela nodded.
"Your father thought the same thing.""
"What did he find?""
She opened another file.
Inside were notes.
Handwritten.
My father's writing.
I read the first line.
Bernice knows more than she admits.
My chest tightened.
I continued.
She helped me uncover Richard's actions, but I cannot determine whether she is protecting me or protecting herself.
I looked up.
My father suspected her.
But he didn't know.
Angela continued.
"Thomas trusted people too easily.""
I shook my head.
"No.""
I looked at the notes.
"He trusted people because he wanted to believe they were good.""
Angela nodded.
"That was his strength.""
"And his weakness.""
She didn't disagree.
I needed answers.
So I called Bernice.
She answered quickly.
"Darnell?""
"Where are you?""
A pause.
"Why?""
"Because I need to talk.""
Her voice changed.
"About what?""
I looked at the photograph.
"About the night my father died.""
Silence.
Long.
Heavy.
Then:
"Where did you get that information?""
My heart sank.
Not because she reacted.
Because she avoided answering.
"Bernice.""
She sighed.
"I knew this day would come.""
"Then tell me.""
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because if I tell you everything, you'll be in danger.""
I laughed bitterly.
"Everyone keeps saying that.""
"Darnell—"
"No.""
My voice cracked.
"Do you know how many people have said they were protecting me?""
Silence.
"Everyone protected me by lying.""
Her voice softened.
"I know.""
"Then stop.""
Another pause.
Finally:
"Meet me.""
"Where?""
"The old church.""
I knew the place.
My father used to take me there when I was young.
A place where he believed people went to find peace.
I arrived twenty minutes later.
Bernice was sitting in the front row.
She looked exhausted.
Older than she had before.
"Darnell.""
I sat across from her.
"Tell me the truth.""
She looked down.
"I made mistakes.""
"That's not enough.""
"I know.""
She took a deep breath.
"I didn't betray your father.""
I watched her carefully.
"Then why were you watching the house?""
Her eyes widened.
"I wasn't.""
I placed the photograph on the bench.
She looked at it.
Then closed her eyes.
"I knew someone was watching.""
"Who?""
"I was trying to find out.""
"So you lied.""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
"Why?""
"Because I was scared.""
I almost stood.
"Again?""
She looked at me.
"No.""
Her voice became serious.
"Not for myself.""
I stopped.
"Then who?""
She whispered:
"Kiara.""
My chest tightened.
"What?""
"After Thomas died, Richard told me he knew about your family.""
She looked at me.
"He knew you would have children one day.""
My hands clenched.
"He threatened my future?""
"Yes.""
The room went quiet.
"I stayed close because I wanted to protect you.""
"Then why didn't you tell me?""
"Because I didn't know who I could trust.""
The answer hurt.
Because it sounded familiar.
My father.
My mother.
Everyone had reached the same place.
A world where nobody trusted anyone.
"Bernice.""
She looked at me.
"Who was behind Richard?""
Her face changed.
And I knew.
She knew.
"Darnell...""
"Who?""
She whispered:
"The person who started everything.""
"Name.""
Her eyes filled.
"I can't.""
"Why?""
"Because you won't believe me.""
I stared.
"Try me.""
She took a breath.
Then said:
"The person who arranged your father's downfall...""
A pause.
"The person who controlled Richard...""
Another pause.
"The person who has been watching your family...""
May you like
She looked directly at me.
"Is your mother.""
