The lost mate
Chapter 86: Some secrets

Chapter 86: Some secrets

Anne’s heart tightened.

"I’m sorry about your sister," she said softly, her voice filled with empathy.

Heather gave a small, sad smile. "It’s okay," she replied, though the sadness in her eyes lingered.

Emily blinked, a look of surprise on her face. "You never told me about her," she said, her voice tinged with hurt.

Heather let out a deep sigh, leaning back in her chair. "There were... some painful memories associated with Jennifer," she explained, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her cup.

Anne, sensing that Heather might need to release those memories, asked gently, "Would you like to talk about it?"

For a moment, Heather was silent, staring down at her cup as though lost in thought. Then she sighed deeply and began.

"Jennifer was 3 years older than me; she was vibrant and full of life. She was the popular one, always surrounded by people, always shining. I used to look up to her. But she changed when she met a man... James." She paused, her jaw tightening slightly. "He was much older than her. Jennifer was just 18, and our parents disapproved. They said he wasn’t right for her. But for some reason, Jennifer was obsessed with him. It was like she couldn’t see anyone else."

Emily’s eyes widened as she listened. "What happened?" she asked softly, captivated by the unfolding story.

Heather shook her head. "Jennifer met James at our café. He used to come in often. At first, it seemed harmless—just a customer. But soon enough, she was sneaking out to meet him. Our parents were furious when they found out. They told her to stay away from him, but she refused. She was crazy about him, and no one could convince her otherwise."

There was a pause as Heather gathered her thoughts, the memory of those years clearly still raw. "Then one night, she came home crying. She told us James was married. She was devastated. My parents were furious and told her to leave him, saying that he was no good for her. But then Jennifer... she told us she was pregnant."

Anne’s heart clenched at the revelation. She could see the pain in Heather’s eyes as she relived the moment.

Heather continued, her voice softer now. "My parents couldn’t handle it. They asked her to abort the baby. She refused. They kicked her out. She said she had ruined her life and would have to live with her choices. So she went to live with James and his wife." Heather paused, her expression conflicted. "I didn’t understand it at the time, and honestly, I still don’t. I mean, why would she go to them? But she did. I visited her once, just to check on her because I was worried."

Heather’s eyes grew distant as she recalled that visit. "Jennifer was heavily pregnant by then. I begged her to come back home and leave James and his wife, but she refused. She said she couldn’t. I couldn’t understand their relationship—it was... weird. They weren’t like a normal couple, not even close. And the way James’s wife acted, it was as if she didn’t mind that Jennifer was there, like it was some kind of arrangement they had."

Emily’s mouth fell open slightly. "She stayed there? With him and his wife?"

Heather nodded. "Yes. It was awful. But Jennifer wouldn’t leave, no matter how much I pleaded. Then, not long after that, we got the news—she had died in childbirth." Heather’s voice faltered for a moment, but she pressed on. "James and his wife took the baby. I never saw them again."

A heavy silence fell over the table as Heather finished her story. Anne reached across the table, gently placing her hand over Heather’s, offering silent comfort.

"That’s... terrible," Emily whispered, her eyes filled with sympathy. "I can’t believe she went through all of that."

Heather nodded, her expression sombre. "I’ve spent years trying to make sense of it. Why she stayed, why she felt so tied to him. But I never got the answers I needed. And after she died, I just... couldn’t talk about it."

Anne squeezed Heather’s hand. "I’m so sorry, Heatherr said softly. "That must have been incredibly hard."

Heather gave a small nod, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. "It was. But I guess talking about it now helps. A little."

Emily, who had been listening in stunned silence, finally spoke. "I wish you had told me sooner, Mum. I had no idea you were carrying all of that."

"I didn’t want to burden you with it," Heather replied softly. "It was something I kept to myself. But maybe I should have shared it sooner."

Emily reached for her mother’s hand, squeezing it tightly.

As Heather and Emily held each other, quietly comforting one another, Anne’s mind wandered.

Jennifer’s story was troubling, yes, but it wasn’t just the emotional weight of it that unsettled her. There was something oddly familiar about it. The more Anne thought about it, the more a strange sense of coincidence crept into her mind. Her brows furrowed as questions began to swirl.

What were the odds?

Damien had been born in Alaska. And now, with Jennifer’s baby being taken away by the man and his wife... it left an uneasy feeling settling in her chest.

Was it all just a coincidence? Or was there something more?

Anne leant forward slightly, her curiosity too overwhelming to ignore.

"Heather," Anne said gently, her voice cutting through the quiet. Heather looked up, wiping her eyes as Emily squeezed her hand in silent comfort.

"Yes?" Heather responded, her voice still soft from the emotions of her story.

"I don’t want to bring up any more painful memories, but... could you tell me the year Jennifer passed away?" Anne asked cautiously, hoping her question wouldn’t upset Heather any further.

Heather blinked, a bit surprised by the question. She hesitated for a moment, clearly caught off guard by the shift in the conversation. But eventually, she answered.

"1998," Heather said, her voice tinged with a quiet sadness. "Jennifer died in 1998."

Anne’s heart skipped a beat. Her mind raced. 1998. The same year Damien had been born.