Chapter 113 Old Ghosts
Mia’s POV
Mrs Chen’s text.
It was unusual enough to make me check it immediately.
I’ve left a package for you at the service entrance. Some things that might help with your questions about the past. Be careful,
Mia.
The cryptic message sent a thill through me. I’d almost forgotten about my investigation into the kidnapping, into James and Mrs. Chen’s connection to it all.
“Everything alright?” Catherine asked, noticing my expression.
“Yes,” I said, tucking my phone away. “Just a message from Mrs. Chen.”
“Kyle’s housekeeper?” Catherine raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize you still kept in touch.”
“She was kind to me during…everything,” I explained vaguely. “We check in occasionally.”
Catherine nodded, not pressing further, though I could sense her curiosity. The silence between us was comfortable as we continued through the city streets, each lost in our own thoughts.
“What will you tell Kyle?” Lasked suddenly. “About today?”
Catherine considered this, her expression thoughtful. “What would you like me to tell him?”
The question caught me off guard. I’d assumed she would report back to her son, sharing details of the appointment and our conversation. The realization that she was asking my permission first touched me unexpectedly.
“You can tell him they’re boys,” I said after a moment. “And that they’re healthy. The rest…” I trailed off, unsure how to
proceed.
“Is between us,” Catherine finished for me. “I understand.”
“Thank you,” I said, meaning it deeply. “For everything today.”
She smiled, the expression softening her elegant features. “Thank you for allowing me to be part of it. It meant more than you
know.”
When we arrived back at my apartment, Gas greeted us with his usual enthusiasm, clearly delighted to have me home. Mom emerged from her office, eyebrows raised in silent question as she took in Catherine’s presence by my side.
“Everything’s fine,” I assured her. “Great, actually. We’re having boys.”
Mom’s face lit up. “Boys! Oh, honey.” She hugged me carefully, then surprised both of us by including Catherine in the embrace. “Thank you for taking care of her today.”
“My pleasure entirely,” Catherine replied, genuine warmth in her voice. “You have a remarkable daughter, Sarah.”
“I know,” Mom said simply, pride evident in her tone.
After Catherine left, promising to call soon, Mom settled beside me on the couch. “So, boys,” she said, her smile infectious.” Have you thought about names?”
“Not yet,” I admitted, mind still spinning from the day’s revelations. “It just became real, you know?”
“I do,” she nodded, understanding completely. “When I found out you were a girl, I spent weeks just referring to you as ‘she‘ before I could settle on a name.”
Gas nudged my hand, reminding me he was still waiting for proper attention. I scratched behind his ears absently, thinking of
Mrs. Chef’s text.
“Mom,” I said carefully, “Mrs. Chen left something for me at the service entrance. Would you mind checking if it’s there?” Her eyebrows rose, but she nodded. “Of course. Though I’m curious why Kyle’s housekeeper would be leaving you packages?” “It’s…complicated,” I said, not ready to share my suspicions about Mrs. Chen’s connection to the kidnapping. “Just something she thought I might be interested in.”
Mom studied my face for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
Mom returned carrying a small, worn cardboard box. “This was by the service door, as promised,” she said, setting it beside me on the couch. “Quite mysterious.”
The box was sealed with packing tape that had yellowed with age. Written across the top in faded marker was simply “James – Personal.”
“Aren’t you going to open it?” Mom asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
I ran my fingers over the box, feeling a strange reluctance.
“Later,” I decided, setting it aside, “Right now, I need to call Scarlett before she sends out a search party.”
Mom nodded. “I’ll make us some lunch while you update her.”
Scarlett answered on the first ring, her voice pitched high with impatience. “Finally! I’ve been dying here! What happened? Is everything okay? Tell me everything!”
“Everything’s fine,” I assured her, settling back against the cushions. “The babies are healthy and developing perfectly.”
“And?” she demanded. “Don’t hold out on me, Mia! Boy? Girl? One of each?”
“Boys,” I said, the word still new and strange on my tongue. “Both boys.”
Her squeal was so loud I had to hold the phone away from my ear. “Boys! Oh my god, that’s perfect! Mini–Morton is going to be thrilled–he’s been saying they’re boys for weeks now. Something about Branson genes or whatever.”
“Branson genes?” I echoed, confused.
“Yeah, apparently Kyle told him twins run in their family? And boys are common? I don’t know, I wasn’t really paying attention. The point is, I was right! Well, Morton was right, but by extension, that means I was right too! This is so exciting! We need to go shopping immediately–I’ve had my eye on the cutest little sailor outfits for boys.”
I laughed, Scarlett’s enthusiasm infectious despite the strange news that Kyle had been discussing my pregnancy with James Morton. “Let’s hold off on shopping until after Paris, okay? I think these two still have plenty of growing to do.”
“Fine,” she huffed, clearly disappointed. “But the second we get back, we’re hitting Barneys. Those boys need a proper wardrobe.”
“Whatever you say,” I agreed, knowing resistance was futile. “How are the Paris preparations going?”
“Amazing! I’ve finalized our itinerary for the first week. I know you have that meeting with the architecture firm, so I’ve scheduled plenty of recovery time afterward. Oh, and I booked us the most incredible spa day–pregnancy–safe treatments for you, of course.”
As Scarlett continued outlining her elaborate plans, I found my thoughts drifting to the box sitting innocuously on my coffee table. What secrets did it contain? And why had Mrs. Chen chosen to share them now?
“Mia? Are you even listening to me?” Scarlett’s voice cut through my distraction.
“Sorry,” I said quickly. “Pregnancy brain. You were saying something about a riverboat dinner?”
“Ugh, never mind. I’ll text you the itinerary later.” She paused, her tone shifting. “Hey, are you sure you’re okay? You sound…
off
“I’m fine,” I assured her. “Just processing. It was a big apprint, you kn
“Of course,” she softened immediately, “Brys. Wow. Have you told eye?”
The question caught me off guard. “Nate? Wiry word I tell Nate specifically?”
“Because he’s your friend? And he clearly cares about you? God, Mi, don’t be deme”
“I’ll text him later,” I promised, choosing to ignore her implications “Right now, I just want to catch my breath before Paris madness begins.”
“Fair enough,” she conceded, “But don’t forget to pack those maternity jeans 1 got you. They’re perfect for the fligh
After assuring her I would pack exactly as instructed, I ended the call and stared at the mysterious box again. Mom from the kitchen, setting a sandwich plate on the coffee table,
“Chicken salad,” she said, nodding toward the food, “Doctor said you need more protein.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I smiled, reaching for half a sandwich.
Her eyes went to the box again. “Are you going to tell me what that’s about? Or is it another secretive pregnancy shouldn’t ask about?”
thing
I sighed, knowing she deserved an explanation. “It’s about the kidnapping,” I said quietly. “Mine and Kyle’s, when we were
children.”
Mom’s expression shifted, a mixture of concern and old pain crossing her features. “What about it?”
“I’ve been doing some research,” I admitted. “And I think….I think Mrs. Chen might have been involved somehow.”
“Mrs. Chen?” Mom’s eyebrows shot up. “Kyle’s housekeeper? What makes you think that?”
I hesitated, uncertain how much to share. Mom had been through so much already–did she really need to be burdened with more dark secrets from the past?
“Just some connections I’ve uncovered,” I said vaguely. “Nothing concrete yet.”
Mom studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. “When you’re ready to talk about it, I’m here,” she said simply. “But Mia? Be careful with old ghosts. Sometimes the past is better left buried.”
The wisdom in her words resonated with me. Whatever was in that box–proof of Mrs. Chen’s involvement, details about James, connections to the kidnapping–did it really matter now? The events had happened decades ago. Kyle and I had found each other, married, divorced, all without knowing the full truth. We’d made our choices based on who we were now, not who we’d
been as children.
“You’re right,” I said finally, pushing the box further away. “Some things are better left in the past.”
Gas settled beside me on the couch, his head resting protectively on my lap. One of the twins kicked sharply, as if agreeing with our decision.
“Besides,” I added, smiling down at my bump, “I have more important things to focus on now.”
Mom’s eyes softened. “Boys,” she mused. “Your father will be furious. He always claimed the Williams women only produced daughters.”
“All the more reason to be delighted,” I laughed, the sound lighter than I’d expected.
Later that evening, after Mom had gone to bed, I found myself drawn back to the mysterious box. Gas watched curiously as I finally cut through the yellowed tape and lifted the lid.
Inside were jumbled mementos of a life I’d never known–faded photographs, handwritten letters, a small notebook with
frayed edges. On top lay a sealed envelope with my name written careful script.
I opened it carefully, unfolding the single page inside.
Mia,
Some secrets are meant to be kept. Others become poison if they remain hidden too long. These belongings are all I have left of James. He was not a perfect man–fat from it. But he was not a monster either, merely a desperate soul caught in circumstances beyond his control.
With deepest regret and respect, Lin Well a (Mrs. Chen)
My hands trembled as I set down the letter. Below it lay photographs–some 1 recognized from my mother’s files, others new to me. James Young and a younger Lin in happier days. Documents in languages I couldn’t read. And at the very bottom, something that made my breath catch–a polaroid of two children, huddled together in what looked like a concrete room. A boy and a girl. their faces smudged with dirt but unmistakable.
Kyle and me.
