base was hollow.
Inside were letters.
Bank records.
Elaine’s maternity documents.
Copies of altered adoption papers.
Harold Mercer’s settlement agreement.
And one sealed envelope.
Written across it in Grandma’s handwriting:
NATALIE.
I sat on the stairs before opening it.
My hands wouldn’t stop trembling.
The letter was short.
My sweet Natalie,
If you’re reading this, Vivian has come close enough that you need the truth.
Do not believe what she says about me.
Do not believe what she has told Grant about himself.
And remember this above everything else:
Do
