Chapter Twenty-Five

The Truth Shall Set You Free

Claire stepped through the double doors of the chapel with Emily. An unlikely duo to be caught doing anything together. They were now praying for their daughters’ health. Claire’s eyes fell on Alex, then Colin. The two men who tore holes in her heart. And it wasn’t until now that Claire knew that Alex had a piece of it.

The stained-glass windows were beautiful. Hues of purple, maroon, cobalt blue, and white smeared across them. At the bottom of one was a painting of three sheep in a pasture. The natural light behind it made it shine with glory. Everyone in the room was milling around. Melanie stood by James, as usual. Colin was off to himself, staring at the floor, and Mallory was in the corner talking to Alex. It was a regular Prescott reunion. Alexander and Evie were out of the country when the news came that Mirabel was ready for the transfusion. Claire had spoken to Evie that morning. She assured her she would call the first chance she got after the procedure was finished.

Mallory came over to Claire first. “Claire, you look a wreck. What’s wrong? Didn’t they say it wasn’t anything bad going to happen to Pearl? She’ll be all right.”

She gave her friend a sympathy hug and Claire stole a look in the direction of Alex, trying to read his quiet mind. “I’m all right, Mallory.”

Mallory pulled her mother by the arm to join them. Claire hadn’t spoken to her in years. And for all she cared, it wasn’t long enough. “Come on, everyone. Let’s say a prayer for those little angels in the operating room.”

She waved her hands, fanning everyone to surround her. Alex took a few steps closer, and Colin walked over and stood beside Emily, on the other side of his father.

“Where are your parents, Emily?” Mallory asked.

“They’re on their way. Daddy wanted to stop first and get Mirabel something at the store. They’re running a little late.”

“Okay, well, we’ll start without them.” She looked at everyone there. “I thought we’d go around and say something personally. It can be a prayer, or something you want to do in the future when the girls are better.” She paused, perhaps waiting for someone to begin. No one flinched. “Okay, then I’ll go first.” She cleared her throat.

“I just want to say that when I first heard about Mirabel’s condition, I broke down into tears. I mean, what kind of thing is this that can threaten a little girl’s life? Take her from all those who love her? Then after calling and talking to Claire, I found out there was a silver lining. Someone could, just like that,” she clicked her fingers, “save her life with a bone marrow transfusion.” She wrinkled her brow and looked at Claire. “But the doctors said it would likely come from a relative. So I tested both of my children and myself. Colin and Emily were tested. The banks were searched. And then out of the blue, Pearl was tested and found to be a viable donor. To save Mirabel’s life.” She stared more heavily at Claire. Visible wheels turned in her head. She looked at every face in the circle, her eyes darting back and forth.

Claire looked up from the floor to see why Mallory was pausing. Her eyes met her friend’s and something told her it wasn’t right. They were the same eyes that stared her down the night she and Colin were caught in the backyard of the guesthouse.

Claire blinked a few times. Don’t say anything, Mallory. Whatever you’re thinking, don’t do it. Wait until later. Claire pressed her eyes shut and silently prayed for Mallory to go mute.

“You know, it’s funny.” Mallory twisted her lips and danced her pointer finger in the air. “The doctor said that in these cases—”

“Well, it was a godsend, wasn’t it? That Pearl would be the one? I mean, cousins, after all, can be a match. And I’m so happy Mirabel had one who matched.” Claire took the opportunity to change the sail of the boat she knew Mallory was aiming toward bad waters.

“Mallory, can I see you out in the hall for a moment?” Claire pulled her by the arm.

She rushed Mallory over to the wall opposite the chapel doors and stared her down. She waited for the accusation before defending herself.

Mallory hit her head against the wall. “Of course! I can’t believe I didn’t figure it out sooner.”

“I don’t know what you think you know, but it’s not true.”

“That Colin is Pearl’s father? I did the math, Claire. That last summer you were at the beach house, and Colin and you were inseparable? It all makes sense with the match.” She held her gaze on Claire’s brown eyes, forcing her to confirm her accusation.

“What?”

Claire felt a piece of shrapnel hit her back when she heard his voice. She tried to see the reflection of him in Mallory’s eyes. She couldn’t move. Her legs were not her own. Her head was not attached to her shoulders. She was having an out-of-body experience.

“Claire. Is that true?”

His voice breathed fire down her neck. Her secret was exposed for the whole world to know. For the whole world to take possession of it. It was no longer hers and Alex’s to hold. They would have nothing that was theirs now. With this and what he’d just said in the other room, Claire’s world was crashing faster than she could hold onto something for support.

She turned around slowly to see Colin staring her down, demanding an answer to his sister’s question. She felt her knees buckle and grabbed for something to hold on to.

That’s the last thing she remembered.