“That was impossible,” I whispered.
“Elena died three years ago.”
Rosalyn shook her head.
“No.”
“What?”
“Elena didn’t die three years ago.”
The room became silent.
“She died eighteen years ago.”
I stared at her.
“Then who died three years ago?”
Rosalyn answered:
“The woman you called your mother.”
My mind exploded.
“No.”
“She had been living under Elena’s identity.”
“Why?”
“To hide what happened.”
“What happened?”
Rosalyn looked directly at me.
“Your mother killed Elena.”
I backed away.
“But why?”
“Because Elena discovered the affair.”
“With Daniel?”
“Yes.”
“She knew I wasn’t my father’s daughter.”
“Yes.”
“And she threatened to tell him.”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
Rosalyn whispered:
“Your mother pushed her down the basement stairs.”
My knees nearly gave out.
“She died.”
“Yes.”
“And Dad covered it up?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because he loved your mother.”
I stared at Rosalyn.
“And then?”
“Your mother couldn’t live with what she’d done.”
