Chapter 13 - The Grave That Was Never His
The cemetery was silent under the moonlight.
Nora walked between the graves with David and Julian.
Evelyn remained in the car.
She refused to enter.
The Montgomery family mausoleum stood at the far end.
Nora's grandfather's name was carved into the stone.
But David noticed something.
The date.
It was wrong.
What?
Nora stepped closer.
Her grandfather's recorded death date was twenty-five years earlier.
But the inscription had been altered.
Someone had carved over an older date.
David touched the stone.
This isn't the original.
Julian looked around.
There must be another grave.
They searched the cemetery.
Finally Nora found one.
No name.
Only a number.
Underneath the number was the Montgomery crest.
David knelt.
He brushed away the dirt.
A small metal plate appeared.
Nora inserted the pendant.
The plate opened.
Inside was a photograph.
Her grandfather.
Alive.
Standing beside Clara.
And another person.
Nora stared.
It was her mother.
But the photograph had been taken years after Nora believed Evelyn had died.
The three of them were standing outside a building.
Nora recognized it.
The Montgomery Foundation.
Julian took the photograph.
There's a date.
Nora read it.
Five years after your grandfather's death.
David's expression changed.
Then your grandfather wasn't dead.
Nora shook her head.
But whose grave is this?
A voice came from behind them.
Mine.
They turned.
Charles stood several yards away.
Nora stared at him.
Dad?
Charles looked exhausted.
I wanted to tell you.
Then why didn't you?
Because I was afraid of what you would do with the truth.
Nora stepped toward him.
Where is Grandpa?
Charles looked toward the woods.
Still alive.
Nora's heart raced.
Where?
Charles pointed.
There.
A small light appeared between the trees.
Someone was standing there.
An old man.
Tall.
Silver-haired.
Leaning on a cane.
Nora stopped breathing.
She had seen that face in photographs all her life.
Her grandfather.
Alive.
He slowly walked into the moonlight.
Nora's knees nearly gave way.
Julian caught her.
Her grandfather looked at her.
Nora.
She couldn't speak.
He smiled sadly.
You've grown up.
Charles stepped forward.
Father.
The old man looked at him.
You should have told her sooner.
Charles lowered his head.
I know.
Nora finally found her voice.
Why?
Her grandfather looked at the pendant around her neck.
Because I was never the one who was supposed to die.
Nora stared.
Then who died?
Her grandfather's expression became grim.
The man who died that night was someone who had been protecting you.
Nora asked.
Who?
Her grandfather looked toward the cemetery entrance.
A car was approaching.
May you like
He whispered:
Your father never told you about the second child.
