"The truth doesn't always set you free; people prefer to believe prettier, neatly wrapped lies." – Jodi Picoult
The Grayson sisters had been bonded, since birth, by the code. The confidence between two sisters, especially ones so close in age, cemented the kind of sibling connection that outlived eternity. Therefore, no little than five minutes and the standard greetings passed, before they each confessed the letters they had received from their Grandfather. The letters were personalised, bar the section which referenced their mother: ...you must have heard of the expression, "Two can keep a secret, if one of them is dead." It may be your mother's favourite expression. Of course, she may be more partial to "Revenge is a dish best served cold." I suspect, no one ever warned her that, "The best revenge is to be unlike him, who performed the injury." If they had, I'm quite assured the two of you would never have entered existence.
"I'm sensing a theme of revenge," Sophia commented, her tone bathed in sarcasm.
"Or bitterness," Charlotte tossed her brunette strands over her shoulder and allowed them to trail down her back, as she continued to read the letter addressed to Sophia. The suspicious nature she had inherited from her mother warned her not to naively fall into Conrad's trap with such ease but her heart craved a logical explanation. "I'm quite assured the two of you would never have entered existence," she repeated the words, before reaching a decisive conclusion. "He must be out to cause trouble, Soph."
"He seems so sincere," Sophia sighed, in disappointment. "Charlie, I know I must sound gullible but... isn't it possible that there's a reason for the letters?" Her curious nature had gotten the better of her. "He said it himself," Sophia pointed to the exact words, "He doesn't have much time left."
"Cancer's a bitch," Charlotte nonchalantly retorted, unconvinced.
Sophia was visibly dissatisfied by the outcome. "So, that's it; we burn the letters and ignore them?"
"Unless you have a better idea," Charlotte huffed, in exasperation.
"...please, Ems. You know you're the only one I trust." The unmistakable voice of Nolan Ross whined from Grayson Manor's foyer into Charlotte's bedroom and both sisters leapt from the bed, in order to welcome him into their home. His strawberry blonde hair flicked to one side, as his head snapped in the direction of their footsteps, "Charlotte." Nolan's eyes widened and his arms stretched out to embrace the oldest Grayson child. He pouted, "You didn't mention she'd come home."
"You didn't give me a chance," Emily rolled her eyes, defensively.
"Grayson," Nolan freed Charlotte from his embrace and afforded Sophia a very cool nod of the head, in acknowledgement.
"Ross," Sophia mirrored his action.
"Nolan, you and I have business to discuss." Emily matter-of-factly interrupted with Nolan's cue to depart, and she ushered him into Daniel's home office. Once her daughter's had left earshot, Emily's smile fell and Nolan braced himself. "Conrad's been in contact. Daniel answered his request to visit and Conrad riled him." That much was to be expected. "He's written to Charlotte, and possibly Sophia. Charlotte was vague about the contents of the letter but I thought, maybe, the girls would confide in someone a bit more impartial than me."
"Of course..." Nolan didn't need to actually say the words to express his assurance to Emily. "But I don't think Conrad would -"
His eyes reached Emily's, which were full of disappointment. Of course Conrad would cross that line. "I should never have confessed my identity to him." It was done in a moment of madness, and weakness, though some may consider the two to be the same.
Nolan snaked his body against the kitchen counter. "Would it really be so bad?" He tilted his head, in an attempt to reach deep into her soul, beyond the tough exterior.
"For Daniel to find out that our entire lives, our children's existence has all been based on pretence." Emily's tone chided him, even if her words didn't. "He would hate me, Nolan. My children would hate me, and rightfully so. I ripped his family apart. I'm responsible for Charlotte's death. Victoria would have never been on that plane, if I hadn't orchestrated the FBI investigation." She shook her head, "There's so much history, so much to ask forgiveness for..." her voice trailed off, before it returned, stronger than ever. "I would rather die than have them learn the truth."
Flashback
She delicately removed the Infinity Box from the gap underneath the floorboards for the last, final time ever.
"Goodbye, dad." She securely placed it in one of the cardboard boxes with the rest of her belongings and surveyed her childhood summer home. After several months, Daniel had persuaded her that a second home wasn't necessary, especially since she was Mrs. Grayson and resided in his family home.
"Emily." His voice tingled her spine and Emily slowly rotated on her heels. Neither of them could deny or confront the tension. Since Amanda's return, basic conversation had been difficult and irregular. "I just wanted to say thank you again." Jack ran his hands through his black strands and shook his head, in amazement. "I can't describe how much this means for Amanda, or me. You have been so incredibly kind and generous," he rambled. "You're a wonderful friend." Emily graciously smiled, further baffling Jack with how perfect she could be. "When I heard you decided to sell, I knew I couldn't compete with the kind of offers you would receive, but for you to offer us first refusal... we were both lost for words."
Emily clamped her eyes shut and feigned happiness; truthfully, it added insult to injury that Amanda would continue the facade in her childhood home. She ignored the bubbling pot of nausea and generously smiled, "It was my pleasure." Her heart was warmed by how much Jack loved her. In order to afford the Clarke residence, he had sold both The Amanda and The Stowaway but still couldn't provide the original asking price. Nevertheless, Emily lowered the amount. It was the least she could do, to repay him for the lies she had spun and would continue to spin for the rest of their years.
Amanda appeared from the porch, "Hey, baby." The couple kissed and Amanda acknowledged her partner-in-crime. "Hi, Emily."
"Hey, you know, I don't think you've seen the baby yet," Jack excitedly pointed out. "He's in the car. I'll bring him in."
A moment of torturous silence occurred, once Jack raced outside of the building, and Amanda opened her mouth to speak but Emily silenced her with a glare. As always, it evoked horror. "Keep you mouth shut and listen," Emily demanded. "Jack can never learn the truth. You and I will not speak again. No phone-calls, no letters." Emily strode toward the doorway, "Don't cross me, Emily, because if the truth ever comes out, you'll wish you had never met Amanda Clarke."