Page 164 of Unspoken Lies

There’s a lot of paperwork when a person dies that has to be undone, just like the way that Rachel needs to be erased. Everything finally fell into place this morning, so I’m reeling with the fact that it’s done.

I have my life back. Emil planned Mom’s trip around this, hoping that the last pieces would fall into place by today. While it’s down to the wire, it’s perfect timing.

“Flex your wings, baby. You’ll get used to it,” Elijah says, winking. “No matter who you are, I love all of your pieces.”

“I love you too,” I breathe.

His eyes widen at my words, and I swear he seems to grow three feet taller.

“Best birthday ever,” he murmurs as I grin up at him.

“I hear the car coming up the driveway,” Nacio says, glancing over his shoulder.

Taking a cleansing breath, I turn toward the entrance of the tent. Conversations break out around me in an attempt to seem normal. They’re all well versed in pretending, and they do it for me now because silence will just make my anxiety worse. It feels like a live wire, lighting my veins, and sprouting with ideas of so many different ways this could go in my mind.

Even over the music, I can hear Mom’s voice as she walks with Emil, and I wrap my arms around my body as tears start to well up in my eyes. God, I’ve missed her so much. Sometimes a girl just needs her mom.

“This view is beautiful, Emil,” Mom says as she walks. “Where are you taking me, exactly? I’m not really dressed to see people.”

“Mi amor,these people aren’t going to care that you just spent hours on a plane,” Emil says. “Besides, I don’t know how you do it, but you look stunning.”

“I don’t know that you’re a good authority for this,” she says. “You always say I look good.”

“And every time it’s true,” Emil says smoothly. “I’m glad you’re back with me. I missed you.”

“I know. I missed you too. Being in the US reminds me of Rachelle…” Mom says, trailing off.

“That’s actually why we’re here,” Emil says. “You trust me, right?”

My heart squeezes so hard at his words, I gasp in pain, and Jared pulls me into his arms immediately. God, hearing them talk together is hard. Knowing they haven’t been able to see each other because everything reminds Mom of me is even worse.

“Of course I trust you, Emil,” Mom says. “What’s going on?”

I’m a fucking mess. Tears run down my cheeks as I cling to Jared, and I’m grateful that my makeup is waterproof.

“Hold on, wife,” he whispers into my hair. “It’s almost time. Just a little longer. You’re doing so well.”

I don’t feel like I am. It feels as if I’m cracking along the seams. This is the biggest secret I’ve ever kept from my mother, even if I didn’t mean to keep it for so long.

“Take a deep breath and walk into the tent,mi amor,”Emil says. “I can’t tell you anything else. Just trust me. Someone is waiting for you.”

“I…” Mom huffs in irritation. “I don’t like when you do things like this, Emil.”

I doubt my stepfather has ever done anything like this before, regardless of their history.

“I know,” he says. “It doesn’t keep me from doing this anyway.”

Liliana and Ignacio are the first people Mom sees as she tentatively walks in.

“Hi, Julia,” Nacio says with a grin. I can barely see them from where I’m standing, but I can see enough. “Welcome back.”

“How are you here?” Mom breathes, almost throwing herself at him. The music is nonexistent now. Theo must have turned it all the way down.

“The charges were thrown out for not having enough evidence,” he says. It’s a lie, but now that I’m alive, the charges have actually been thrown out and his record is scrubbed clean.

It’s strangely as if none of it ever happened, though the marks are tangible evidence on our hearts and souls.

“Emil didn’t tell me,” Mom laments, squeezing Nacio tighter.