Shocking revelation
1282 Words
Her hands tightened around the paper.
The next lines hit even harder.
The danger that brought you here has not disappeared.
It has only been waiting.
A chill spread through her body.
Her eyes raced downward.
Listen carefully from this day forward, do not separate yourself from my grandson.
Whether you understand it or not, your fates have become tied together.
If one of you stands alone, the person hiding in the shadows will finally make a move.
Trust no one.
Not even those you believe you know best and remember this, the truth you have spent five years chasing is much closer than either of you realize.
I can't tell you what to do but if you insist on finding the truth you must play your cards right.
Lorgan Maxwell
The letter slipped from her fingers.
Her mind went completely blank.
Five years ago she had entered the Maxwell family with a purpose.
Not because she loved Drake or because she wanted wealth. Not because she wanted the Maxwell name.
She had needed access, resources, connections and influence.
She had believed someone connected to the Maxwell family held the answer she had been searching for.
Five years later, she had found nothing.
Absolutely Nothing and now Grandpa was telling her she had been looking in the wrong place all along, which confirmed everything.
Brenda slowly sank back into her chair.
For the first time in years, uncertainty replaced determination.
Because if Grandpa was right...
Then everything she believed for the last five years might have been a lie.
But if Grandpa had known something or maybe everything but why didn't he disclose it? Why is he leaving her with just this warning before he dies?
A sharp knock sounded at the door.
Brenda quickly folded the letter and slipped it into her handbag.
"Mrs. Maxwell?"
A servant's voice came from outside.
"Mr Maxwell is looking for you."
"I'm coming."
She stood immediately.
By the time she reached the mirror, every trace of shock and anger had disappeared from her face.
The obedient Mrs. Maxwell was back.
The woman who smiled even when insulted.
Brenda adjusted her dress and left the room, her mind was still in a mess..
The hallway downstairs was crowded with members of the Maxwell family preparing to leave.
The moment she appeared, several pairs of eyes landed on her.
She ignored them. Her attention was focused on one person.
Drake Maxwell.
He stood near the entrance speaking to the family lawyer.
Brenda tightened her grip on her handbag.
She needed to speak with him immediately. She had just taken two steps when someone blocked her path.
Oma.
Drake's younger sister. Oma Maxwell
Behind her stood two other family members.
None of them looked pleased.
Oma folded her arms.
"What's in the letter?"
Brenda kept her expression neutral.
"What letter?"
"The one Grandpa left for you, dummy."
One of the cousins stepped forward.
"Don't pretend."
"Everyone saw it."
Oma narrowed her eyes.
"What did Grandpa leave you?"
Brenda sighed internally.
She really wasn't in the mood.
"It's personal."
"Then tell us."
"No."
Oma's face darkened.
"You think you're important because Grandpa left you a letter?"
Brenda remained silent.
That only seemed to annoy her further.
"You've always been good at pretending."
"Five years in this family and nobody knows anything about you. Like you fell from the sky and married my brother, no family name.. nothing.."
Brenda's patience thinned.
She had spent years tolerating their insults.
Today wasn't the day.
"Move."
The single word came out colder than intended.
Oma blinked.
Apparently she hadn't expected resistance.
Before she could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.
"What's going on?"
The group instantly became quiet.
Drake approached.
His sharp gaze moved from one face to another.
Nobody spoke.
Drake looked at Brenda.
"Is there a problem?"
Before she could answer, Oma forced a smile.
"Nothing."
Drake didn't look convinced.
His eyes settled on Brenda again.
She shook her head.
"It's fine."
For several seconds he continued staring at her.
Then finally turned to his siblings.
"You should leave."
Nobody argued.
Within moments they scattered.
Brenda released a quiet breath.
"Thank you."
Drake studied her face.
"You were looking for me." She said
He nodded. "Can we talk?"
Without another word, Drake led her toward the back garden.
The funeral guests had mostly left.
The grounds were unusually quiet.
Only the sound of distant thunder filled the air.
For a moment neither spoke.
Brenda was trying to decide how much she should reveal about the letter.
"I read the letter"
She paused
In the end, she chose the safest option.
"The letter wasn't what everyone thinks."
Drake slipped his hands into his pockets.
"What was it then?"
Brenda forced a small smile.
"An apology."
His eyebrow lifted.
"An apology?"
She nodded.
"Grandpa apologized for how some members of the family treated me over the years."
Brenda muttered, the lie came surprisingly easily.
Drake remained silent, something about his expression made Brenda uneasy.
Finally he spoke.
"That's strange."
Her heart skipped.
"What is?"
Drake shook his head, “he didn't have to write that in a letter.“
He reached out and held her hands, "I'm also sorry for the humiliations from my family.“
Brenda's chest tightened.
“After our divorce, I promise you won't have to deal with that anymore.“ He blurted out.
“Thank you.“ Brenda mumbled sadly.
But if only he knew.
She suddenly sighted Drake's sister from afar rushing towards them.
Her eyes narrowed.
“She's back Drake, she's back.“
“Who's back?“ He was confused.
Brenda has never seen Oma this excited.
She pulled his hands and Drake followed her awkwardly.
Brenda stood rooted in a spot. “Who was back?“
Her legs carried her to the direction Oma pulled Drake to.
Brenda's heartbeat accelerated..
"Drake."
The woman's voice trembled.
Before Brenda could react, she ran forward and threw herself into his arms.
Drake stood completely still.
As though he couldn't quite believe she was standing in front of him.
The next second, his arms wrapped around her.
The sight hit Brenda harder than she expected.
She had spent years beside him, yet she had never seen that look on his face before.
It wasn't affection or friendship.
It was something deeper, something that made her suddenly understand why he had agreed to the divorce so easily.
The letter inside her handbag suddenly felt heavier.
Stay close to Drake, do not separate from him.
A bitter smile tugged at her lips.
Grandpa really had terrible timing because for the first time since receiving that warning Brenda wasn't sure Drake would want her to stay.
And for the first time since entering the Maxwell family she wasn't sure she could survive watching him choose someone else.
The woman finally pulled away, wiping at her eyes with trembling fingers.
"My flight was delayed," she said with a shaky laugh. "Thank God I didn't miss it completely."
Drake stared at her.
For the first time since Brenda had met him five years ago, his carefully controlled expression cracked.
Emotions she had never seen directed at anyone.
"Elsie."
The name left his lips softly almost unreverently.
The woman's eyes reddened further.
"Are you okay?"
Brenda looked away suddenly, she felt as though she was intruding on something she wasn't meant to witness.
Whatever existed between them had begun long before she entered Drake's life.
Long before the contract or marriage.
And perhaps long before she had foolishly allowed herself to fall in love with him.
A bitter smile touched her lips.
Brenda turned away and walked towards the gate, she didn’t want to ruin a reunion.
- Writer
