Page 44 of Absolution

“Your sister needs you—”

I stare at her in disbelief for the last time before turning away. Diana continues to talk, but I ignore her. Instead, I enter my office, my back to Eros.

This can’t be true. Diana has to be lying. Yet somehow, I have a feeling she isn’t. But the implication… Fuck.

After yanking out my cell, I dial my mother. She’s the only person who will tell me the truth.

It takes a few rings before she answers. “Hi, sweetheart. How are you?”

“Where are you, Mom?”

Her tone switches from chipper to worried in an instant. “At the house. Is everything okay?”

“I need to speak with you. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”

I disconnect our call, snatch up my keys, and head to my car. After shaking off the uneasy feeling settling in my stomach, I crank the ignition and head to my parents’ house. In the picture Diana showed me, my father was smiling while standing between Diana and my mother. They appeared to be at an event. It has to be a coincidence.

I should call Viktor and tell him what’s happening, but this might be nothing. Diana has to be lying. She is attempting to rattle Ava to get whatever she wants from her. I saw what speaking with Diana did to Ava.

I need answers before sharing this with anyone.

My cell rings, and I groan when I notice it’s Viktor calling.

I ignore it. I only have one thing on my mind. Is Diana telling the truth, or is this a ploy to get Ava to do her bidding?

Before I know it, I’m pulling up to the gates of my parent’s house. My fingers are crossed that my father isn’t home. I need the truth and not the lies he constantly feeds me.

I park and stroll to the door. Right before I twist the knob, my mother opens the door, then scans me up and down. “What’s wrong?”

“Let’s go inside.” She moves to the side to invite me in. “Where’s Dad?”

“He isn’t here.” She closes the door and joins me in the foyer. “You’re worrying me, Oliver. Talk to me. Is something wrong with Ava? The kids?”

She freezes when I ask, “Who is my biological mother?”

I have never asked her because it has never mattered to me before, but now I need to know. I must know if Diana is telling the truth.

Her reply is almost robotic. “Someone your father slept with once.”

She’s lying to me. I can tell. “You’re lying.”

When I hand her the picture, her wide, panicked eyes dart between it and me. “Where did you get this?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

She glances at the picture again, and before she can utter another word, I know Diana was telling the truth. She is my biological mother. It’s written all over my mother’s face. But more, Ava is my sister.

“Let’s take a seat.”

I shrug away from her. “I don’t want to sit, Mom. I want the truth.”

“Please, Oliver.”

I can’t deny the pleading in her eyes. “Fine.”

I march into the living room and sit.

After pouring two stiff drinks, Mom speaks, “Before I tell you, you need to know the whole story.” She hands me a glass, her hand noticeably shaking.

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