My Mother Fired Our Devoted Maid to Hide a Shocking Truth About My Son — Part 2

Previously: When Arthur confronted his mother for firing their quiet maid, Sarah, a silver pocket watch and a mention of his late wife Celeste blew a lifetime of family lies wide open.

Unearthing the Deception

Before Sarah could finish her sentence, Eleanor swept down the remaining stairs, her heels clicking sharply against the stone. "That is enough!" she hissed, reaching out to grab Sarah’s arm. "Get out of my house this instant before I have the police drag you away for theft!"

But Arthur stepped between them, shielding Sarah and his crying son. "Don't touch her, Mother," he warned, his voice dangerously low. He turned back to Sarah, his heart hammering against his ribs. "What did my mother keep? Tell me, Sarah."

Sarah took a deep, shuddering breath, holding up the silver pocket watch. "Your mother kept Noah's real birth records, and the letters Celeste wrote to you from her hospital bed. Five years ago, Celeste didn't abandon you and Noah. She was diagnosed with a terminal heart condition right after giving birth. Your mother found out first."

Arthur felt as if the air had been sucked from his lungs. For five years, he had lived with the agonizing belief that Celeste had simply packed her bags and walked out on their newborn son, unable to handle the pressure of motherhood. Eleanor had been the one to deliver the news of Celeste's supposed 'abandonment,' and later, her lonely death in another state.

"She is a liar, Arthur!" Eleanor shouted, her composure cracking for the first time. "She is trying to extort us! Celeste was a weak, penniless girl who wanted nothing to do with our family legacy. I protected you!"

"No," Sarah cried out, tears streaming down her face. "Celeste loved Arthur! She loved Noah! But Eleanor threatened her. She told Celeste that if she didn't sign custody over to Arthur and leave quietly, Eleanor would use her wealth to ruin Arthur's career and take the baby away forever. Celeste was too weak to fight. She spent her final months in a charity hospice, writing letters to Arthur and her baby boy."

Sarah pressed a small button on the side of the silver pocket watch. The back casing popped open, revealing not clockwork, but a tiny, folded piece of parchment and a small brass key.