Chapter 13 - His Mother's Final Gift
The file contained a letter.
Everett's mother had written it shortly before her death.
She had known she might not survive the investigation.
The letter was addressed to Everett and Willa together.
It explained that Willa's parents had saved her life once.
Years earlier, Everett's father had planned to abandon the foundation.
Daniel Hayes had stopped him.
Willa's mother had exposed the corruption.
Everett's mother had promised to protect their daughter.
She had kept that promise.
The final page contained something unexpected.
A property deed.
A small house overlooking the lake.
It belonged to Willa.
Everett's mother had purchased it years earlier.
The house had been maintained secretly.
Inside were photographs.
Willa as a child.
Willa at school.
Willa's first job.
Her mother's handwriting appeared beneath each photograph.
She smiled today.
She is safe.
She is growing stronger.
Willa cried.
“She watched me.”
Everett held her.
“She loved you.”
Willa looked through the photographs.
Then she found one more.
Her mother standing beside Everett's mother.
Both women were smiling.
On the back were four words:
Someday, they will meet.
Willa laughed through her tears.
“They knew.”
Everett nodded.
“Apparently our mothers planned our friendship before we knew each other existed.”
They moved into the lake house.
It became theirs.
Not a mansion.
Not a fortress.
A home.
The first home Willa had ever chosen.
Months later, Everett asked her to walk with him by the water.
He held out a new ring.
“This one isn't a symbol of a deal.”
Willa looked at it.
“What is it?”
“A promise.”
She smiled.
“What promise?”
“That I will never let anyone decide your worth again.”
She took his hand.
But then Everett added something else.
“And you don't have to save me anymore.”
Willa laughed softly.
“Good.”
May you like
“Why?”
“Because I want you to save me sometimes.”
