I felt my face pale as images of Ben and a couple of prostitutes in an apartment I had known nothing about flashed through my brain. I couldn’t form words as I stared at my mother with growing horror. She powered on as the first tear fell from her lashes.
“She witnessed him walking through the casino with a couple of women who were far more friendly than they should’ve been with a married man.” My mother flinched as if struck by the whimper that escaped me.
Gram knew?
“She left the letter for me in case Ben didn’t do the right thing himself. Apparently, her last letter to him explained why he was cut out of the will and that he needed to tell you the truth about his behavior. She was disappointed in him and embarrassed that she hadn’t had the courage to tell you herself,” Mom admitted. I watched as more tears rolled down her cheeks. “She didn’t want your last memories of her to be her breaking your heart.”
“How is feeling betrayed by her, but unable to say anythingtoher, any better?” I demanded. I didn't recognize my own voice. It sounded broken.
Mom just shook her head sadly.
“I don’t know. I think she just couldn’t handle watching your heart break while she was dying.” My mother reached for my hand, but I pulled mine away.
I felt like I was being suffocated by my skin, and I couldn't escape. The idea of anyone touching me, anyone adding to that sensation, made me want to bolt. My heart raced under all the layers of betrayal that were stacking on my chest.
Am I having a heart attack?
“Would you like to read the letter?” Her voice was soft, and there were tear lines down her cheeks.
“Not right now.” I stood abruptly. “I need to lie back down.”
“Do you need a snack or a drink?” Mom looked worried and rose to her feet as well.
“N-no…” I said shakily, “I think I’m just struggling to process this.”
I felt lightheaded and reached out for the back of the chair I’d been sitting in to steady myself. I could hear my mother as she yelled something, but she sounded like she was underwater. Then my vision went fuzzy, and the ground tilted beneath me.
· · - ·?· - · ·
When I opened my eyes, I was staring at the living room ceiling. I blinked a few times to clear my eyes and then flinched when my mother’s face appeared over me.
“Melanie, I called an ambulance. Don’t move.” She said in a controlled voice.
“An ambulance?”
“You fainted. I don’t think you hit your head, but you and the baby need to be checked.” She explained and then turned herattention back to the phone that I hadn’t realized was in her hand.
“Honestly, Kyle, I didn’t realize you had alerts set up on your phone for if we contacted emergency services from the house. That seems incredibly invasive.” My mother scolded, and I felt my lips twitch. Only our mother would be scolding Kyle, from hundreds of miles away, while waiting for paramedics to arrive. She saw the tiny smile on my face and rolled her eyes. “She’s laughing at me. Your sister just passed out but she’s laughing at me.” She pressed a button on the phone, and Kyle's voice filled the living room.
“Melanie, I JUST got back to Seattle, if you missed me that much, you could've just said so... you didn't need to get all dramatic about it,” he teased.
“You caught me.” I sighed.
“What happened?” he sounded more serious.
“I don’t know.” I admitted, "I don't really remember..." and looked to my mother for clarification.
“She was emotional about something your grandmother had left in her letter, and when she stood up, she fainted.” My mother’s eyes stayed locked on my face while she spoke. Suddenly, the minutes before I fainted came rushing back.
“Gram knew.” I whispered and felt my heart start to race again.
“Gram knew what?” Kyle asked.
“Honey, you need to stay calm.” My mother said and squeezed my hand.
“She knew…”
“Mom, what is going on? What did Gram know?” Kyle raised his voice. “Walter call the hanger and tell them to get the jet ready.” There was a muffled response in the background. “Immediately, I don’t care about the logistics or clearances. Just. Get. It. Ready. And get Griffin on the line.” Kyle barked orders at his assistant while I tried to wrap my head around Gram’s betrayal.
