Chapter 3 — The Woman Everyone Buried
Arthur unfolded the letter with trembling hands.
Emma's handwriting was unmistakable.
If you're reading this, Arthur... then I never got the chance to tell you the truth.
The ballroom had become so silent that the rustle of the paper echoed beneath the museum's vaulted ceiling.
Arthur continued reading.
I never left you.
His breath caught.
Someone made sure you believed I did.
A cold chill ran down his spine.
He looked at Eleanor.
She had turned pale.
The letter continued.
The night before our wedding, Eleanor came to my apartment. She said you had changed your mind. She showed me documents proving you were marrying someone from a wealthy family to save your father's company. When I refused to leave, she threatened the only person I loved more than you... our unborn child.
Arthur stopped reading.
"Our... what?"
Lily lowered her head.
Tears filled her eyes.
"My mom said you never knew."
The room erupted into shocked whispers.
Arthur's knees nearly gave way.
He looked from Lily...
...to the letter...
...back to Eleanor.
"You told me Emma ran away."
Eleanor said nothing.
"You showed me divorce papers."
Still nothing.
"You told me she married another man."
Silence.
Arthur's voice became dangerously calm.
"Answer me."
Finally Eleanor whispered,
"I had no choice."
Arthur's eyes hardened.
"No choice?"
"My father would've lost everything."
"So you destroyed an innocent woman?"
"I loved you!"
"You imprisoned her life!"
Arthur slammed the letter onto the table.
"You stole my family."
Suddenly a voice came from the back of the ballroom.
"Actually..."
Everyone turned.
An elderly woman stepped forward.
"I was there that night."
It was Margaret Ellis.
The retired museum curator.
She had remained silent for two decades.
Until now.
"I saw Eleanor leave Emma's apartment."
Margaret removed an old leather journal from her purse.
"I wrote everything down."
Eleanor staggered backward.
"No..."
Margaret opened the journal.
May you like
"I kept it because someday...
I hoped the truth would survive."
