Page 95 of Twice as Forbidden

“Georgia told me. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“He was our everything—he held our family together. When he died, it felt like a part of me died with him—the part that was supposed to be strong for my girls.” She pauses, swallowing hard. “I thought Bill would bring some light back into our lives. Not to replace their dad but to fill a void. The girls needed a father figure.” She laughs cynically, wiping a tear from her cheek. “I remember the first time he hit me. I was in shock,” she recalls bitterly. “He apologized afterward, telling me how much he loved me and promising it would never happen again. And I believed him—the first time, then the second... until I stopped counting.”

“I knew he had a temper,” she admits, her voice almost breaking. “He yelled—a lot. And sometimes, he would...” She trails off, swallowing hard. “But I told myself it wasn’t that bad. I made excuses.” Her eyes flicker with a mix of guilt and shame. “He was stressed; he didn’t mean it, it was just once. But what kind of mother does that?” She shakes her head. “What kind of mother convinces herself that a man has any excuse to lay a hand on her child?” Her breath shudders. “Georgia didn’t tell me. She was protecting me. And Ilether.”

Anger coils in my chest as my fists clench at the thought of anyone hurting Georgia.

She continues, her voice trembling. “One day, while I was working overtime, I got a call. Bill was home with the girls, and he said that while they were playing, Georgia ran into the street and got hit by a car.” Her voice breaks. “But when I saw her, so frail and frightened in that hospital bed, I knew he’d hurt her badly. Enough to pin the blame on a random accident. It’s how the hospital had my contact information. Since she was already in the Health Information Exchange, that’s how they pulled her emergency contacts, even without ID.—”

She halts, burying her face in her hands as her body trembles.

My anger rises at her story, but I force it down. “Is Bill still with you?” I ask.

“He is,” she replies quietly and drops her hands. “But he’s been behaving... ever since Georgia left. Maybe she was a trigger for him. I’m not sure.”

“And Lettie?”

She shakes her head. “He yells, but he’s never... at least, I don’t think so—oh God, have I missed those signs too?” She turns, grabbing Georgia’s hand, a crack in her voice giving her away. “My sweet girl,” she murmurs, crying quietly.

“How could this happen to my baby girl? She doesn’t deserve this. She’s always deserved better than the life she was dealt.” She lifts her head, her eyes pleading. “Please, tell me what happened. No one will tell me anything.”

My chest constricts, caught between what feels right and wrong. Tell the truth or lie? I’m not sure if it’s my place to share our story. There’s a very real chance if—whenshe wakes up, she’ll want nothing to do with me. Taking the cowardly way out, I offer her mother only the facts.

“And the boy?”

“He didn’t survive.”

“Where is his father in all this? Why hasn’t he come forward and taken responsibility?”

“I don’t know those answers. But trust me, I’ll get them.” I have Craig working overtime, lifting every unturned rock to find where that piece of shit is hiding.

“God, you’re gross.”

“And you’re a little brat.”

“Noah,” I snap as the two return, embarrassed at his behavior in front of their mother.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Blake. His childish insults don’t affect me.”

“Leighton Price. There is a time and a place, and this room is not it,” their mother lectures.

“Mom—”

“Enough, Lettie.”

A nurse enters the room. “Morning, everyone. I hate to do this, but I’m going to need you all to step out. I have to change her dressings.”

Instinctively, I bark, “Everyone out!”

Maribel turns to the nurse. “I would like to stay if that’s okay. She’s my daughter.”

“Of course.”

“I need to make some calls. I’ll give you your privacy.” I exit the room and dial Craig.

“I just got a visit from the detective. Gave him everything he needed. Heads up, though. There’s strange activity going on at the Hallstead estate. We might have a runner. Going over there to check it out now.”

“Not shocked she’s trying to save herself.”

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