Valerie’s eyes glittered.
“I survived.”
“You told us your baby died.”
“She might as well have. Mother wouldn’t even look at me after she found out I was pregnant.”
“That is not true.”
Valerie laughed.
“You always rewrite history to make Sarah the saint and me the stain.”
Grandma flinched.
Valerie leaned forward.
“You know why Sarah found that folder? Because Jack kept paying. Every month. For twenty-four years. He said it was guilt. I said it was responsibility.”
My head snapped toward her.
“Dad paid you?”
Valerie smiled at me.
“Your father has been supporting my daughter since before you were born.”
The basement spun.
Grandma whispered, “Jack is Lily’s father?”
Valerie’s smile deepened.
There was the twist.
The one beneath all the others.
Dad hadn’t just cheated with Valerie while Mom was sick.
He had cheated with her decades ago.
Before me.
Before Mom’s marriage had even become the story I believed.
Valerie’s daughter was my half-sister.
My cousin.
Both.
I thought I might faint.
Adrian’s voice stayed even.
“Where is Lily now?”
Valerie’s face closed.
“None of your business.”
Grandma stepped closer.
“She is my granddaughter.”