“You got it.” Picking up the crowbar, I wedge it at the top of the front panel of the drawer, then wrench it viciously until the splintering of wood cracks through the air. Thirty seconds later, the drawer is in multiple pieces, but the contents are free.
Sage sets everything on the surface of the desk with trembling hands. Together we peer at our findings, which includes a checkbook and a folder. She frowns, flippingthrough the register. “I don’t know what I was expecting.”
Her anxiety is palpable as I peer over her shoulder, reading through the entries. And then, I spot it. The same amount of money, every month. “It’s this right here. What the fuck is Mountainview?”
“I don’t have a clue.”
There on the front cover of the folder is a logo for Mountainview Retreat. She puffs out a breath and passes it to me.
Flipping it open, I scan over the first document. It appears to be some sort of admission paperwork for Laurel Everett, Sage’s mother. Throat going dry, I glance at Sage. She’s gone pale.
“Look at the date, Rhett”—her voice lowers—“this isn’t so long after she left.” Lip trembling, she shakes her head. “What is this place?”
“Not sure.” Jamming my hand into my pocket, I fish my phone from it. A quick Google search reveals something that floors me. “Oh, fuck.” Sage’s head snaps my way, and her brows furrow as I angle my phone so she can read.
“Is this”—her lips press together—“some sort of mental institution?” She blinks, confusion warring within her gaze.
“I think so.” Cautiously, I set the first page aside, glancing at the second. “This is a psychiatricevaluation. Looks like it was done at your father’s request.”
Beside me, Sage swallows hard before pulling a photograph out of the folder. A startled gasp slips from her lips as she picks it up. “Oh my god.”
Taking it from her, I study the image of the couple. It’s her father… withmymother. With my verypregnantmother. My chest constricts as I stare. “Wait.” Flipping it over, I search for more details, but there’s nothing. “When was this taken?”
Sage’s eyes are wild as she stares up at me. “I don’t know, Rhett.” She exhales hard. “Maybe we should look for an explanation.”
While I stare down at the photo, she reaches for the next document. My eyes track hers as she scans what looks like a handwritten letter. If I thought she was pale before, I was mistaken because now it looks as though she’s seen a ghost. “What is it?”
Lifting her gaze to mine, her mouth opens but nothing comes out. Finally, after several heartbeats she hands it over. “See for yourself.”
Ridge,
I’m trying to get better. They tell me it will do me some good to get my thoughts down on paper. They say you deserve to know everything.
I was on the phone with Jonah when Lucy fellfrom the cliff at the waterfall. I heard her screams. Then my baby… my precious baby jumped in after her, and it’s all your whore’s fault. I kept warning him to stay away from that poisonous family, but he wouldn't listen. Everything that was left of us—destroyed by Alice fucking Rivers and her devil spawn. But that’s the thing. It’s your fault, too. You just couldn’t keep your dick away from her, could you?
Since high school, I watched you fawn over her, always putting me second. I’m still so angry. So fucking mad. They found out, you know. They knew your disgusting secret. And my baby died trying to make sense of your vile betrayal. None of this would have happened if it weren’t for your bastard child. Nothing. I lost my son. I wouldn’t have been forced to do what I did if you hadn’t cheated. This is all your fault.
I had to make her pay for what she took from me.
I will never forgive you, and Alice Rivers deserved what she got.
You’re next,
Laurel
RHETT
13
Sageand I have been camped out across the kitchen table from each other. Disbelief and shock rattles the silence between us. For the last hour, we’ve discussed the even messier family history we now share. Could this be how our family rivalry started? If I had to make a bet, that’s what I’d put my money on.
The contents of that drawer weigh heavily on both of our minds. I can’t imagine how Sage must feel. Not only is her mother in a fucking nuthouse for potentially murdering my parents, but mic drop, one of us is her sibling. How much of this should we believe? Laurel is clearly off her rocker. That much was evident by the ranting in her letter. But in her ramblings, there was a seed of truth. Lucy and Jonah fell off that cliff. We never knew what really happened that day. Could her story check out? I fucking hope not.
For all our sakes, I pray Sage’s supposed half-sibling isn’t the one sticking his dick in her. Kade would lose all reason he has left—which isn’t a lot to begin with.
My mind is going ninety in a thirty, trying like hell to process the sins of our parents. How could they have done that? How am I going to break news of our mother’s infidelity to my brothers? Does Grandma Jo know? Fuck. Tires crunch the gravel outside, and I cock my head toward the sound. “That’ll be Kade.”
Sage drags in a breath as she wipes her palms over her thighs. Wincing, she nods. “Yep.” Her eyes hold all the same uncertainty I’m feeling. My guts are knotted so badly I wish we could rewind time and leave the truth locked away in that desk.
