Chapter 15 #2
Andrea sank back against the pillow. “I only found out a few months ago. My mom died last year, and we decided to move. I was helping pack, and I came across some letters from your mom to my dad. I’m ashamed to say I read them.”
“What did they say?”
“Your mom and my dad were in love. She got pregnant, but her father, who was a bit of a bully, didn’t want his daughter with someone like my dad.”
Jackson huffed. Boy, didn’t that sound familiar.
Mia gave him a side glance.
Andrea continued. “Your grandfather paid someone to beat my dad. They put him in the hospital. The next thing he knew, she was married. He must have written her to ask her why. She said she didn’t have a choice. Her dad had arranged the match, like it was a business deal.”
“My mother’s father hired someone to beat your dad?” Mia exclaimed, stunned.
Andrea nodded.
“I can hardly believe it. He died when I was two. I don’t remember him, but my grandmother seemed so…timid. She died when I was eight.”
Andrea sighed. “I never knew either of them. And I’m glad, honestly, now that I know the truth.”
Mia stared at Andrea, her expression frozen. “Does Blaine, I mean my…my mom’s husband…did he know I wasn’t his?”
Andrea nodded. “He does now. I don’t know if he always knew, but I wanted to meet you, so I went to your parents’ house to get your information.
Your mother looked like she’d seen a ghost. She gave me your number and then tried to rush me away, but her husband arrived before I could leave.
He told me in no uncertain terms that I, and my entire family, needed to stay away from him and his family or there’d be ‘consequences.’” She made air quotes.
“But you didn’t listen.”
She shrugged. “I have problems following directions.”
To Jackson’s relief, Mia snickered. “Yeah, sometimes I do too.”
A nurse buzzed in. “It’s time for Andrea to have her meds. You can visit later.”
Mia turned to her sister. “I’ll be back. I’d love to hear more about the family.”
Jackson moved to the door. For a second, his glance swiveled between the two women. They had a strong resemblance, but he’d never mistake Andrea for Mia now, even with her blue eyes closed.
He held the door open for Mia. She brushed past him, her mouth pressed tightly closed. Jackson knew she was seconds from breaking into tears.
Mia started shaking the moment they walked out of the hospital.
Jackson flung an arm around her shoulder, anchoring her to his side as they walked. “Are you okay?”
Was she? “I hardly know. I have a sister. And a brother. Blaine Turner isn’t my father. I’m actually grateful about that one. But why would he pretend? Why would he marry my mom, only to be so cold and hateful all these years?”
After the way he’d seemed almost glad when she’d left, she couldn’t think why he’d try to help her now by speaking with the school board. He knew she wasn’t his daughter.
She glanced at the clock. He should still be at work.
“I want to go see my mom. She’s known about this my whole life. I need to know why she hid it from me.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
She laughed shakily. “No. It’s tempting, but I need to do this on my own.”
She could tell he wanted to argue, but that wasn’t his way. Jackson always had accepted her decisions when they were younger. She flushed. They’d made some choices she would never make now, but he hadn’t pressured her. Despite her wavering faith, she had learned that actions have consequences.
Jackson dropped her off, and she collected her car without going inside the house.
Less of a chance that Jane would confront her that way.
Sure enough, she received a snarky text asking if she was home.
She just responded “no” and left it at that.
She didn’t want to face Jane until she’d spoken with her mother.
And since she couldn’t call her mother, she’d have to talk to her in person.
But it was probably better that way. Her mother could lie to her on the phone, but she wasn’t good at telling tales face-to-face.
She drove to the house she’d grown up in.
Her mom answered the door, and her mouth dropped open in wide, hot-pink O when she saw Mia on the front step. “Mia! What—”
Mia stepped past her mother and entered the perfectly kept house she’d grown up in. Still no warmth in it. She didn’t regret escaping.
Spinning, she confronted her mother. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
Carol Turner’s made-up face didn’t look any paler, but Mia was pretty sure her mother had just blanched.
“T-tell you what?” Carol responded. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But the quaver in her words told a different story.
“You know what I mean. Blaine Turner isn’t my father. I have a half brother and a half sister out there. Were you ever planning on telling me?”
Carol sank onto a chair. “I didn’t think you’d ever find out.”
“I met my sister. She told me about you and her dad, Tim.”
“You don’t understand.” Her mom glanced toward the window. “There was still a stigma attached to unwed pregnant girls. My parents were ashamed of me. They gave me two options. Go away and give the baby up, or marry someone they chose. I chose you.”
Mia’s chest constricted. She’d never felt her mother’s love because they’d been so smothered by Blaine’s control. But had it been there all along?