Page 49 of Sins of a Husband

“Did you express how you felt when they told you?”

“They didn’t tell me. They were killed in a car accident a year before I graduated from law school.”

“Oh gee, Katherine. I’m sorry. I had no idea. If they didn’t tell you, who did?”

It wasn’t any of his concern, and I wasn’t about to tell him anything. I was only here to get information. So, Ideflected the question and steered the conversation back to its original purpose.

“What else did Renee say when you interrogated her?” I ask.

He inhales a sharp breath and leans back in his chair. He then picks up a pen from his desk and taps it against the metal edge.

“She said all men who cheat on their girlfriends or wives need to be punished for their sins. She told me that God told her to punish him. Your mother was a very sick woman.”

“She wasn’t my mother,” I say, looking out the window of the precinct. “Did she say anything else?”

“Not really. She just wanted to make sure you were cared for because she knew she would be spending the rest of her life in prison. I guess it got to be too much for her, though.”

“Thank you, Detective Song.” I stand from my chair and extend my hand. He places his hand in mine and gently shakes it. As I begin to walk away, he calls my name.

“Katherine?”

“Yeah?” I turn and face him.

“I’m happy you don’t remember anything about that night. The Yearns did right by keeping what happened and who you were from you. No child would be able to escape those memories.”

“Was anyone else there that night?” I ask. “I mean, in the house when you arrived?”

“No. It was only you, your mom, and your dad. Why?”

“Just curious.” I walk away and leave the precinct.

Chapter Thirty-Five

DAHLIA

Katherine is gettingclose to the truth. That damn Detective Walker had to go and stick her nose into our business, stirring up everything I hid from Katherine all these years. Now, Katherine is in Virginia, speaking to Detective Song about that night. Since her brownstone is up for sale, she will start looking for another home, but I don’t think it’s a good idea. She needs a fresh start away from New York—somewhere nobody knows who she is or what she’s been through. Fuck. She loves it here, and she likes the firm she works for. She won’t leave the city. That much, I know.

Perhaps it is finally time for the truth to come to light, though I fear it may be too much for her to bear. For a quarter of a century, I have shielded her from this knowledge, but now my time for protection is coming to an end. My heart beats faster in anticipation and dread as I prepare to reveal the truth, no matter how painful it may be for her.

Chapter Thirty-Six

KAT

I’m back from Virginia.My realtor called and told me an offer had been made on the brownstone. It wasn’t a bad offer, but it could be better. So, I make a counteroffer. I feel like I’m losing my mind. Every breath I take hurts my soul. My life has been a total lie. I have no idea who I am anymore.

I pull up Dr. Burton’s number and call his office.

“Dr. Burton’s office. This is Beth. How can I help you?”

“Beth, this is Katherine Tate. I need to see Dr. Burton as soon as possible. It’s an emergency.”

“Hold one moment, Mrs. Tate.” Elevator music filters through the phone, intensifying the migraine I already have. “Mrs. Tate, Dr. Burton said he can see you in an hour.”

“Thank you.” I let out a breath. “Thank you so much.”

Dr. Burton will help me. He'll know what to do after I tell him everything I discovered. I sit on the couch and lay my head back to try to relieve this excruciating headache. I open my eyes and jump up when I see that my appointment with Dr. Burton is in fifteen minutes.

“Shit,” I say, slipping on my boots and coat and grabbing my purse.

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