“Do you know who did it? It wasn’t you.”
I suck in a deep breath, trying to compose myself. To let my mother down. To reveal everything I’ve kept from her. “I…well… It was, though.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s complicated. I promise I’ll explain it all when I get home.”
“Theresa said it’s about Althea Ralston.” When I don’t respond, she goes on, “But you love her.” I don’t know what to say or how to explain when or how that changed. “We love her.”
She’s right. It was Mom’s obsession with her books and speeches that led to mine. Perhaps that’s why this truth has always felt like a betrayal to my family.
“Mom, she…she isn’t who she claims to be,” is all I can manage to say.
“What do you mean?”
My throat tightens. Where do I even begin? “It’s a lot to explain over the phone, but…she stole from me. Back at Havenport. I never told you because…well, I don’t even know why, really. Because it felt silly. Because I wanted to forget. Because it really, really hurt, and I didn’t want to have to talk about it.”
“What do you mean she stole from you?”
I relay the story, just the important stuff, and then catch her up to date on the events since arriving back at Havenport. It’s painful and awkward, but there’s a sort of peace that comes from sharing this with my mom after all these years. Besides, it’s not like I can keep it a secret now that she knows about the website.
When I’m finished, Mom’s voice is sad. “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m sorry I didn’t. I don’t know why. It was just…I don’t know. I know you were always a fan of hers.”
“Oh, but honey, I’m an even bigger fan of yours.” Her voice cracks, and I realize she’s crying, and I hate that it’s come to this. I should’ve told her. There were so many times when I tried, when I opened my mouth to say the words and nothing would come out.
“I knew something happened,” Mom says thoughtfully, sniffling. “Back then. You were never quite the same after coming home from Havenport. And when I talked about her, youalways changed the subject. I should’ve asked more questions. I should’ve… I knew it was something, but I guess I just…I didn’t want to see it.”
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I wish the story was different.”
“The story is the story,” she says softly. “And there’s no one I trust more than you to tell it.” She sniffles again, clearing her throat. “So, are you coming home now? How long are you staying at the hotel? Are you sure you can trust this Professor Bell?”
“I don’t know yet,” I admit. I’m not sure I’ll ever trust anyone again, not in the way I trusted before. She broke that part of me, and I don’t think I want it back.
“You’re safe though, right? You’re being careful.”
“Of course.”
She doesn’t sound reassured, but eventually, she exhales. “Please be careful with this, Lila. You’re just my little girl.” Her voice cracks again, and I feel it deep in my chest. “I wish I could protect you from the world.”
Tears prick my eyes without warning, and I fight them off, refusing to cry. “I’ll be fine,” I swear to her. “Look, I’ll call you tomorrow, okay?”
When we end the call, there’s a new email on my phone. I open it fast, hoping it will be an update from Professor Bell.
Instead, I suck in a sharp breath when I see Hayden’s name.
The message is simple and mysterious. Three words:See you there.
I draw my brows together, thinking. There’s an attachment at the bottom of the email without a title. I click it.
The walls close in around me.
My heart stalls.
I stare at the purple image with yellow lettering. It’s a pass to Ralston’s award ceremony tonight purchased under a fake name.Sophia Black.
I’m assumingLila Parkswill have been crossed off of any guest list by now.
