Chapter 15: The Memory Michael Never Shared

I stood outside Michael’s bedroom door.

My hand hovered over the handle.

For the first time in years, I was afraid of a conversation with my own son.

Not because I didn’t trust him.

Because I knew he had been protecting me.

And I was terrified of what else he had carried alone.

I knocked.

“Come in.””

Michael was sitting on his bed.

He looked up.

“Dad?””

I stepped inside.

“Can we talk?””

He nodded.

Immediately, he knew something was wrong.

“What happened?””

I sat down.

“Sarah took something from my office.””

His expression changed.

“What?””

“The original agreement your mother made.””

Michael became quiet.

Then he whispered:

“She knew about it.””

I looked at him.

“What?””

“She knew Mom made that.””

“How?””

Michael looked uncomfortable.

“I don’t know.””

“Michael.””

He looked down.

“She told me.””

My heart stopped.

“When?””

“A long time ago.””

“How long?””

He swallowed.

“Before you married her.””

I stared at him.

“Why didn’t you tell me?””

“Because she said Mom didn’t trust you.””

I felt something break inside.

“What?””

“She told me Mom thought you were weak.””

I closed my eyes.

“She lied.””

“I know now.””

I looked at him.

“What else did she say?””

Michael was silent.

Then:

“She said Mom knew she was dying and became paranoid.””

I shook my head.

“No.””

“She said Mom was scared of losing control.””

I felt anger rising.

Because Sarah had taken a dying woman’s fears and turned them into a weapon.

“What did your mother actually say?””

Michael looked at the floor.

“I didn’t tell you everything.””

My chest tightened.

“What do you mean?””

He took a deep breath.

“She told me something the night before she died.””

I waited.

“She said Sarah might try to become important to me.””

I froze.

“What?””

Michael’s eyes filled.

“She said it wasn’t wrong for me to love someone new.””

I swallowed.

“But?””

“She said nobody should ever make me feel guilty for loving her.””

The room became quiet.

“She knew.””

Michael nodded.

“She knew someone might try to erase her.””

I looked away.

All these years.

All these signs.

And I missed them.

“Why didn’t you tell me?””

Michael’s voice cracked.

“Because Mom made me promise not to hate anyone.””

I looked at him.

“She told me anger would only hurt me.””

A tear rolled down his face.

“She wanted me to have a good life.””

I pulled him into a hug.

And this time, he didn’t hesitate.

He held on.

For a long time.

Then my phone rang.

Daniel.

I answered.

“Marcus.””

“What happened?””

His voice was urgent.

“We found the person who took the agreement.””

My heart raced.

“Who?””

A pause.

Then:

“It wasn’t Sarah.””

I stood.

“What?””

“Marcus, there’s another person involved.””

I looked at Michael.

“Who?””

Daniel lowered his voice.

“The person who took it left something behind.””

“What?””

“A photograph.””

My stomach tightened.

“Of what?””

“The night Sarah first met you.””

I felt cold.

“What about it?””

Daniel answered:

“Marcus, Sarah wasn’t alone that night.””

I looked at Michael.

Then at the empty hallway.

Because suddenly, the story changed again.

Sarah had been hiding something.

But she wasn’t the only one.

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