Chapter 2: What She Left Behind
The next morning, I sat across from Mr.
Pendelton in a quiet office that smelled of old books and wood polish.
He placed a metal box on the desk between us.
My hand was trembling when the key slid in.
Inside were two envelopes, a USB drive, and a photograph.
I picked up the photograph first.
Brandon.
Younger.
Standing beside a woman I didn't recognize — holding a baby.
"That child would be about seven years old now," Mr.
Pendelton said quietly.
I couldn't speak.
"Rosalind found out two years ago.
She tried to confront Brandon.
He told her she was confused.
That the stroke had affected her memory." He paused.
"She never forgave herself for staying silent."
I opened the first envelope.
It was a DNA report.
The second envelope was a letter — handwritten, addressed to me.
I recognized Rosalind's shaking handwriting immediately.
*"Lucia.
You were more of a daughter to me than I deserved.
What I am giving you is not a weapon.
It is the truth.
Use it however you need to.
You have already given enough."*
My phone buzzed on the desk.
Brandon.
I stared at his name on the screen.
Then Mr.
Pendelton spoke again, very carefully.
May you like
"There is one more thing Rosalind left instructions about.
Something involving the house in San Diego that Brandon does not know she never put in his name."
