A decade of silence filled the space between us.

Finally, I drew a breath and said what I had carried for ten years.

“I need to tell you the truth.”

Richard’s expression hardened.

“The truth about Grace… and the real reason I couldn’t get rid of her.”

The color vanished from both their faces.

They stared at my daughter.

Then their hands began to shake.

Part 2

Richard stayed silent for what felt like forever, the photograph trembling between his hands as his grip bent its corners. Eleanor remained near the doorway with a hand pressed to her chest, struggling to breathe normally.