Page 67 of Not This Soon

She took a deep breath, the damp, musty scent of the forest filling her lungs. Her fingers tightened around the grip of her gun, the metal cool and reassuring against her skin.

With a final steeling of her resolve, Rachel stepped around the corner and approached the shack's door. It hung slightly ajar, a sliver of darkness beckoning her forward.

She reached out with her free hand, her fingertips brushing against the rough, splintered wood. The door creaked open with the slightest pressure, revealing a yawning void within.

Rachel's heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline coursing through her veins. She knew that whatever waited for her insidewould change everything, would shatter the fragile illusions she had clung to for so long.

But there was no turning back now. The truth, no matter how painful, was the only path forward.

With a final, steadying breath, Rachel stepped across the threshold and into the unknown.

Rachel's eyes adjusted to the dim interior, her gaze immediately drawn to the figure standing in the center of the room. Aunt Sarah, her posture tense, a cast iron skillet gripped tightly in her hands.

"Aunt Sarah." Rachel's voice was steady, belying the maelstrom of emotions swirling within her. "Put the skillet down."

Aunt Sarah's eyes narrowed, her knuckles whitening as she tightened her grip on the makeshift weapon. "Rachel. You shouldn't be here."

Aunt Sarah looked every bit the native woman: weathered and worn, but proud. Unyielding. Her dark hair hung loose, cascading over her shoulders. An echo of her people's spirit reflected in her eyes.

"I need answers." Rachel took a step forward, her gun trained on her aunt. "About my parents. About what really happened to them."

Aunt Sarah's jaw clenched, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her features. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Rachel's heart constricted, a wave of anger and betrayal crashing over her. "Don't lie to me. Not now. Not after everything."

Aunt Sarah slowly lowered the skillet, her gaze never leaving Rachel's face. "Your parents... It was an accident. That's all there is to it."

"No." Rachel shook her head, her voice rising. "There's more. There has to be. And you know something."

Aunt Sarah's shoulders sagged, a weariness settling over her. "Rachel, please. Let this go. Some things are better left in the past. Who’s been lying to you?”

She pictured the interrogation room. Pictured the men she’d tracked. She knew her aunt better than anyone.

How hadn’t she seen it before?

Aunt Sarah's eyes flashed with a hint of desperation. "I loved your parents. I would never do anything to hurt them."

"Then tell me the truth." Rachel's voice cracked, the weight of years of unanswered questions pressing down on her. "I deserve to know."

Aunt Sarah's gaze darted around the room, as if searching for an escape. "It's not that simple, Rachel. There are things... Things you don't understand."

Rachel's grip tightened on her gun, the metal biting into her palm. "Then help me understand. Because right now, all I can think is that you've been lying to me my entire life."

Aunt Sarah's shoulders slumped, a flicker of resignation crossing her face. "Your parents... They weren't who you thought they were."

Rachel's heart skipped a beat, a chill running down her spine. "What do you mean?"

Aunt Sarah hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. "They were involved in things. Dangerous things. Things that got them killed."

Rachel already knew this. Her auntknewshe knew it. A stall tactic. But stalling for what? Rachel’s senses were now on high alert. “What kind of things?"

Aunt Sarah shook her head, a bitter smile twisting her lips. "It's better if you don't know. Trust me."

"Trust you? How can I trust you when you've been keeping secrets from me all this time?"

Aunt Sarah's eyes met Rachel's, a flicker of regret shimmering in their depths. "I was trying to protect you, Rachel. To shield you from the truth."

“You weren’t. I know my mother was involved with White Cloud. I know they staged a heist. I know the money is missing, and someone double-crossed my mother. Was Dawes involved? He’s always loved you—did you use that? Is that why he’s been helping you?”

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