Chapter 3: The Secret Before the Pregnancy
Nyla stopped beneath the golden chandelier.
Aunt Denise's fingers trembled around her clutch.
"What do you mean?"" Nyla asked.
Denise glanced toward the ballroom again.
Russell was speaking to Preston near the head table. Brianna had disappeared into a side hallway.
"I shouldn't be telling you this.""
"Then don't.""
Denise caught her wrist.
"Wait.""
Nyla looked down at the hand.
Denise immediately released it.
"Russell has been lying to Preston for years.""
Nyla frowned.
"About the affair?""
"About more than that.""
Denise swallowed.
"Do you remember when Preston's mother died?""
Nyla nodded.
Margaret Mitchell had died five years earlier, after a long battle with cancer. Nyla had been married to Preston for three years at the time.
She remembered Margaret as a warm woman who loved old jazz records, Sunday dinners, and sending handwritten birthday cards.
She also remembered how Margaret had treated her.
Like a daughter.
"Your mother-in-law was a wonderful woman," Nyla said.
Denise's expression softened.
"She was. And she knew Russell wasn't faithful.""
Nyla felt her stomach tighten.
"How long?""
"Long before Brianna.""
Denise looked toward the ballroom.
"Margaret found out about another woman. She confronted Russell. They fought for weeks. Then, shortly before she died, she asked me to keep something safe.""
"What?""
"A letter.""
Nyla stared at her.
"Why are you telling me this now?""
"Because when Russell saw that DNA report, he looked exactly like he did the day Margaret showed me what she'd discovered.""
Denise opened her clutch and removed a small folded envelope.
It was yellowed at the edges.
On the front, in neat handwriting, were four words.
*For Preston. When ready.*
Nyla recognized the handwriting immediately.
Margaret.
Denise held the envelope out.
"She told me to give this to him when the truth finally became impossible to hide.""
Nyla didn't take it.
"Then give it to Preston.""
"I can't.""
"Why not?""
Denise looked down.
"Because Russell told me he would destroy me if I ever opened my mouth.""
Nyla stared at her.
"You're afraid of Russell?""
Denise gave a humorless laugh.
"Everyone in that family is.""
Before Nyla could respond, a voice came from behind them.
"Denise.""
Russell stood at the end of the hallway.
His expression had changed.
The friendly grandfatherly smile was gone.
"What are you doing?""
Denise quickly slipped the envelope back into her clutch.
"Nothing.""
Russell approached.
"Preston is looking for you.""
"I'm going.""
Russell's eyes moved to Nyla.
"You've caused enough trouble tonight.""
Nyla lifted her chin.
"I didn't create the results.""
"You have no idea what you're interfering with.""
"Then tell me.""
Russell stepped closer.
"You think you're some kind of hero because you walked into a room with a piece of paper?""
"No.""
Nyla's voice remained steady.
"I think I'm a woman who finally stopped accepting blame for other people's decisions.""
Russell's jaw tightened.
"You were never right for Preston.""
"Maybe.""
She looked him directly in the eyes.
"But I was never the one sleeping with his father.""
Denise covered her mouth.
Russell's face darkened.
"Watch your mouth.""
Nyla stepped around him.
"Watch your lies.""
She continued toward the lobby.
Behind her, Russell said something to Denise in a low voice.
Nyla didn't turn around.
But she heard Denise answer.
"Margaret knew, Russell.""
That made Nyla stop.
Russell's voice dropped even lower.
"Don't you dare bring her into this.""
Nyla walked out before she heard the rest.
Twenty minutes later, Preston stood alone in the ballroom's private office.
His father had gone outside to take a phone call.
Brianna was sitting on a leather sofa, holding a glass of water.
Her makeup had begun to run.
Preston stood beside the window.
He had removed his jacket.
His tie hung loose around his neck.
"Tell me everything," he said.
Brianna looked up.
"I already told you.""
"No. You told me enough to make yourself sound confused. I want the truth.""
She wiped her face.
"Russell and I started talking when you were having problems with Nyla.""
Preston turned.
"Talking?""
"At first.""
"When?""
"Before your divorce.""
He stared at her.
"How long before?""
"About eight months.""
Preston laughed without humor.
"So while I was working late, trying to save our marriage, you were sleeping with my father?""
Brianna's eyes filled again.
"It wasn't planned.""
"Did he tell you he loved you?""
She looked away.
"Preston.""
"Did he?""
A long silence followed.
Then she nodded.
Preston pressed his palm against his forehead.
He remembered his father offering to help him move on after the divorce.
He remembered Russell inviting Brianna to family dinners.
He remembered his father saying she was a good woman who would make a wonderful mother.
Every memory now carried a different meaning.
"Why did you marry me in your mind before you even knew whose baby you were carrying?""
Brianna's face tightened.
"Because I love you.""
"No. You love the Mitchell name.""
She stood.
"That's not fair.""
"Then explain the party.""
She hesitated.
Preston pointed toward the ballroom.
"Explain why you invited Nyla.""
Brianna looked down.
"I wanted her to see.""
"See what?""
"That you chose me. That I gave you what she couldn't.""
Preston stared at her.
For the first time, he seemed to understand that Brianna hadn't simply wanted a wedding.
She had wanted an audience.
She had wanted his former wife to witness her victory.
And now that victory was falling apart.
A knock interrupted them.
Aunt Denise entered.
She looked at Preston.
"I need you to read something.""
She removed the old envelope.
Preston recognized his mother's handwriting.
His face changed.
"Where did you get that?""
"Your mother gave it to me.""
He took it carefully.
"Why didn't you give it to me before?""
Denise's eyes filled.
"Because I was afraid.""
Preston opened the envelope.
Inside was a letter written on cream stationery.
He recognized his mother's familiar handwriting immediately.
The first line made his breath catch.
My darling Preston,
If you're reading this, then your father has finally been forced to answer for something he has hidden from you.
Preston looked up.
"What's this about?""
Denise whispered, "Read it.""
He returned his eyes to the page.
There is something about your birth that your father never wanted you to know.
His fingers began to shake.
Then he read the next sentence.
Russell is not your biological father.
Preston stopped breathing.
Across the room, Brianna slowly lowered herself onto the sofa.
May you like
And outside the office, Russell stood with his hand on the door handle.
Listening.
