The Weight of a Mother’s Secret

The Final Gift and a Sister’s Resolve

Among the envelopes were letters for Liam’s major milestones: birthdays, graduation, wedding. One envelope, simply labeled “Sarah,” contained a note and a key:

“Sarah, I know we’ve never been best friends. But you are the strongest woman I know. You always fix things. You always show up. That’s why I left Liam with you today. I knew if I couldn’t return, you would never let anything happen to him.”

She had signed over her half of their father’s estate to me, instructing me to use it for Liam’s future. Her plea: “Help Mark. Be the sister to him that I couldn’t be to you. And tell my son his mother didn’t run away. I ran ahead to clear the path.”

Suddenly it clicked. “She’s at the lake house,” I said, grabbing Mark’s keys. “She thinks she’s going there to quietly fade without being a burden.”

Fighting Until the End

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