A/N: Please note that other triggering content (self-harm and suicide will be discussed) throughout the story. Please be forewarned and take precautions if these are troubling for you.

I just wanted to thank everyone for the reviews. My muse and I both appreciate it. This is still, as of now, planned to be a fairly long, multi-part story, but if you all aren't into it…I'll wrap it up before too long.

And remember…reviews and feedback keep me and my muse motivated…especially if they're positive!

***More drama and more secrets revealed***

I hope you enjoy this latest chapter…Now on with the show!

"Every doorway, every intersection has a story." ~ Katherine Dunn

"Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have retained of them." ~ Marcel Proust

Chapter 33

I realize I've reached the end of that file, but I didn't find any map. I shake my head clear of that memory just as Matthew takes my hand and gently squeezes it.

I hear him say "I remember that. My parents were away on some business trip and I had to go with them. You were worried that your parents were trying to set you up with one of the boys your mother's friend worked for and had hoped I would be there…or at least John would. I know he wasn't able to go either. You never mentioned whether your mother tried to set you up with that guy. Instead…I remember that you called me the next day all freaked out. At first I thought it was about the guy you were worried about…until you told me about what you overheard your parents arguing about. But, you never mentioned Lauren being there though. Did she stay with you after that happened?"

Still caught halfway between the memory and the conversation with Matthew, I had completely forgotten about the guy my parents had tried to set me up with that night. I nearly gasp as I remember who it was. That was the night I met Lucas for the first time. No wonder this was the first file I picked up. I had completely forgotten about that. I basically ignored him because I knew I would be seeing Lauren later and didn't think about it much afterward. I ran into him a few times after that…but he always seemed nice…polite.

It wasn't until a few years later…when I was back in the States that I actually met up with him again at College. By that time…so much had happened and it felt nice to see someone familiar that I struck up a conversation with him. I just wanted to be friends…things just got out of hand. I wonder now though if he remembered that night differently. I vaguely remember seeing Lauren's picture when I was fighting with Lucas…before I ended up trapped in my head. Did Lucas do something to her? If so…he must've seen her right after that party…but why do something to her? I feel like I'm missing some piece of the puzzle. Probably in one of these damn files somewhere.

I feel Matthew squeeze my hand again…"Em…seems like you're starting to put some of the pieces together. Maybe reading some more of those files will help you sort out more of what you're missing. But before you do, I want you to fill me in on what else happened after we talked. After you told me what happened that night…that your parents fought…you just said that you'd find a way to figure out what your parents were hiding. How did you plan on doing that…or did you even have a plan?" Matthew asked.

"I didn't really have a plan…but Lauren said she had a few ideas on finding out more information for me. She said she didn't want to get my hopes up…but if she found out anything…she'd let me know."

"And did she…find out more?" Matthew asked.

"Yeah…I mean it took a little while…but right before my 15th birthday…you remember…the birthday that both of my parents completely forgot about…she said she had some information about where my dad had been staying."

"How did she manage to do that…or do I even want to know?"

"I found out later that she had been following him…keeping an eye on him. You know…where he went…who he spent time with…that kind of thing. Though looking back on it now…I really wish I wouldn't have involved her in any of it." I quietly say.

"She told me that she could keep what she found out to herself…she didn't have to tell me any of it if I really didn't want to know…but I knew I had to find out the truth." I continued.

It took me a while to ask her for the information and even more time to work up enough nerve to confront him…but I finally did. Lauren was old enough to drive, so a week or so before my birthday, I had her follow him one night that my mother was away on business and he said he was going to be gone on yet another business trip. I was amazed that she was able to keep up with him…considering how carefully he had hidden his tracks and how secretive the location was he was staying.

I remember telling her that she'd make a good spy someday. She just smiled and said she had other plans for her future than working undercover, even if it did feel exciting and kind of dangerous. Although I do remember her telling me at the time…she could see me doing that kind of work when I was older.

I told her that night that I might consider it…but only if I could be as good as she was at it. It was my attempt at flirting…but it seemed to work, since right before I got ready to head to the door to my dad's hidden second home, Lauren kissed me with a level of passion that she had never kissed me with before. I nearly changed my mind about confronting my dad…in favor of staying in the car with her.

I realize now that she was probably trying to spare me from what I would find when I confronted my dad. She also had become more affectionate with me in the weeks since I overheard the fight between my parents. I think it was her way of showing me that someone really did care about me…that she really cared about me…even if my parents didn't.

I finally broke away from the kiss and steadied my nerves for the impending confrontation. Lauren asked once more if I was sure about what I was going to do. I told her I needed to know the truth. Part of me wishes now I would have just left well enough alone…but another part of me realizes that I would have always wondered what the truth was…so in the end…I really only had one option.

I slowly approached the door of the average looking home. It wasn't what I pictured my dad living in, considering the immaculate looking mansions I grew up in. I suppose those were choices my mother made…but still. This house seemed too common a home for my dad to be living in, but Lauren insisted she had seen him return here several times and open the door with a key.

I finally worked up enough nerve to knock on the door and heard a familiar sounding voice on the other side asking "Yes…can I help you?" as the door opened.

I was shocked to see Isabella, the former housekeeper my mother had fired several years prior, standing in front of me. She was just as shocked to see me standing in front of her. We both stood there staring at one another…not saying a word for several minutes. Finally, I heard my father speaking in the background…asking if everything was alright. He came to the door and was both shocked and angry to see me standing there.

Isabella quickly apologized to me and then excused herself, leaving my father and me in the threshold of the door. At first, I wasn't sure what to say or do. I had been prepared to confront my father and his mistress, but to see Isabella…the one person that worked for my family that I had actually cared for years earlier; standing in front of me…I was at a loss for words.

Then it all started to fall into place. The reason my mother had fired her so abruptly and Isabella had simply vanished. My mother must've realized my father and her were having an affair and had fired her because of it.

"What are you doing here Emily?" My father asked.

I steeled my nerves before replying "I was about to ask you the same thing father" I coolly replied. "You said you were away on business…but that is obviously not the case."

"I ran into Isabella in town. I simply stopped by to see how she was doing before I left on my business trip. How did you find me? What exactly are you doing all the way out here?" My father lied…trying to deflect the true nature of what he was doing and why he was there.

"Father…I know you did not simply run into Isabella in town. I know you are not really going away on a business trip…that your business trip is just a lie so that you can come here and stay with her instead of staying at our home with mother and me." I replied…just a hint of anger tinting my voice.

"How dare you accuse me of lying young lady…just what exactly are you accusing me of exactly?" My father harshly responded.

"I overheard you and mother arguing several weeks ago…I know you have been living here with Isabella for quite some time and just telling me that you are away on business trips. I know that your marriage to mother isn't real…it never was. You only pretend to be married to each other because you have to…because of me. Why not just tell me the truth? Did you think I was better off with two parents that were never there and only pretended to care for each other when there was a crowd…or did you actually think you were doing what was best for me?" I ask…trying to maintain my composure as I was on the verge of tears at this point.

"Emily…sweetheart…you were never meant to hear that. I am sorry. Your mother and I did what we felt was best for you…what is best given the circumstances. It's just very complicated." My father looked genuinely remorseful. "But you still haven't answered my question from earlier. How did you find me and how did you get all the way out here?" He asked as he looked around behind me for any sign as to how I managed to get all the way across town. Thankfully…he doesn't seem to see Lauren's car. She managed to park just out of sight of the door.

"How I got here isn't important. You say that it's complicated, so help me understand. If it's just about the trust funds that you say your parents and my grandmother are holding over your head…I don't care about those. I hate having to pretend our family is perfect when it's obviously not. You and mother are miserable. And what about Isabella…she can't be happy living a lie either. No one is happy with this situation…so why let it continue to drag on like this?" I ask…genuinely confused by why this charade has to continue.

"I know you think the trust funds are important to you…and maybe now they aren't…but one day they will be. Even if they never are…there is a lot more at stake than just that. Why don't you just come inside Emily…there is more to this story that you don't understand. Once I explain it all to you…I think you'll understand why this charade has to continue on…at least for a little while longer." My father states as he moves to the side and opens the door for me to enter the house.

As I walk in…I see Isabella standing near the entry to the kitchen…seeing her again was definitely a surprise. However…that was definitely not the biggest surprise waiting behind the door that day.