Chapter 9 - The Man Behind the LieAudrey confronted Julian's mother.
"Tell me the truth."
His mother refused.
Audrey slammed the photograph of Lily onto the table.
"You knew."
Silence.
"You knew about Claire."
Another silence.
Audrey's voice shook.
"You destroyed them."
Finally, Julian's mother broke.
"Your father did."
Audrey stared at her.
"Why?"
"He believed Claire would make Julian weak."
Audrey slowly sat down.
"And Julian?"
"He believed Claire left him."
The truth was devastating.
Audrey had not married a man who had intentionally betrayed her.
She had married a man who had spent years believing he had been abandoned.
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But that didn't make her pain disappear.
It only made everything more complicated.
Related Stories
Chapter 10 - The Divorce PapersJulian met Audrey at a quiet restaurant.
Chapter 11 - The Woman Audrey HatedAudrey found Claire at a small community center.
Chapter 12 - Lily Gets SickEverything changed when Lily collapsed at school.
Chapter 13 - Audrey's Unexpected ChoiceAudrey could have walked away.
Chapter 14 - The Truth Goes PublicA journalist uncovered the entire story.
Chapter 15 - The Woman Who Finally Forgave HerselfClaire sat alone on her apartment balcony.
