Chapter 2: The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
An hour later...
The bride, the groom, the flower girl, and two detectives arrived at the quiet nursing home.
The director hesitated before opening Room 214.
"This patient asked us never to reveal her identity."
The bride's hands shook.
The door slowly opened.
A frail woman sat beside the window, sunlight warming her silver hair.
She turned.
The bride froze.
So did the woman.
Neither of them spoke.
Then tears rolled down the woman's face.
"Emily..."
The bride collapsed to her knees.
"Mom?"
The groom caught her before she hit the floor.
For twenty years, Emily had visited her mother's grave every birthday.
Every Christmas.
Every Mother's Day.
But there had never been a body.
Only a closed coffin after a terrible car accident.
The woman reached into a drawer.
Inside lay dozens of unopened birthday cards.
Every one addressed to Emily.
"I wrote every year," she whispered.
"They never let me send them."
Emily looked up.
"Who?"
May you like
The woman's smile disappeared.
"My own sister."
