CHAPTER 53 – Buried Truths
The hospital loomed ahead, calm and pristine, its polished exterior belying the storm building in Stephanie's chest. The SUV rolled to a gentle stop under the covered drop-off zone, and Stephanie slid her fingers nervously over her handbag as she glanced at Leo beside her. His expression was unreadable. Anita, ever the empath, leaned forward from the backseat, trying to break the heavy silence.
"You okay?" she asked softly.
Stephanie nodded once but didn't speak. No one really wanted to be the first to bring up the weight of the past few hours—or the past few decades. Leo simply stared out the window until the security detail opened the doors.
Four bodyguards in dark suits stepped forward the moment they entered the lobby. The receptionist immediately recognized them and pointed them to the private ward. It was Nathan's doing—ensuring their mother was safe after what happened. But it only made Stephanie feel the stakes were getting higher with every step.
The corridor to the room was heavily guarded. Leo glanced sideways at the men and scoffed lightly. "Your boyfriend sure knows how to make a statement."
"Would you rather he hadn't?" Stephanie retorted, her voice sharper than she intended.
He didn't respond. Anita stepped between them as they walked, offering a nervous smile to a passing nurse.
When they reached the room, Stephanie's heart thundered. She had no idea why, but something felt… off.
She pushed the door open slowly.
There, sitting beside Elizabeth Quinn's hospital bed, was a woman none of them recognized—but all of them felt like they should. Tall, elegant, maybe in her thirties, she had wavy chestnut-brown hair pulled neatly to the side and wore a soft mauve blouse tucked into tailored trousers. Her features were striking, sharp in a way that hinted at the Quinn bloodline, but softened by a kind smile that bloomed as she looked up.
Stephanie froze just inside the door.
Leo took one look at the woman and tensed. "Who…?"
The woman stood. "Hi." Her voice was melodic, gentle. Her eyes landed on Stephanie. "Hello, little sis."
Stephanie blinked, confusion sweeping over her face. "Wait. What did you just—?"
Before she could pull back, the woman stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Stephanie in a hug so warm and so familiar, it felt disarming.
"I've waited so long to meet you," she whispered.
Stephanie stood there, frozen in her arms.
Leo's jaw clenched. "Oh, so she's decided to show up now?"
"Leo," Anita warned, nudging him sharply.
The woman pulled back and smiled at him. "Hi, Leo."
He didn't smile back. "So, the favorite child finally returns."
There was a flicker of hurt in the woman's eyes, but she nodded slowly. "I deserved that."
"I'm Anita," Anita said quickly, stepping forward and extending a hand, trying to ease the tension. "Nice to meet you."
The woman took it warmly. "Elena. Elena Quinn."
Stephanie took a small step back, her face pale. "Our sister?"
Elizabeth Quinn, looking pale but more alert than she had the day before, nodded from her bed. "This is your eldest sister, Elena."
An awkward silence followed.
Leo folded his arms tightly across his chest and muttered, "Must be nice. Reappearing after eighteen years like it's nothing."
Elena didn't snap back. She smiled gently. "I know I have a lot to make up for. I didn't expect hugs and smiles. But I came because I heard Mom was here… and because I wanted to see both of you. Finally."
Stephanie said nothing. She was still trying to process the warm hug from someone who'd been a ghost all her life.
"I only found out this morning," Elena continued, turning toward their mother. "I was supposed to meet Mom at the hotel, but when I landed, I called her and she told me what happened. I rushed here immediately."
Stephanie shifted. "But how did you even know to call her?"
"I didn't," Elena said gently. "I… I heard she was meeting you both. It didn't feel right sitting out any longer. I wanted to meet you. And then everything happened and—"
"You're late," Leo interrupted coldly. "Eighteen years late."
Elena sighed. "I know."
"But at least you're here now," Anita said kindly, trying to bridge the widening chasm. "That counts."
Stephanie finally found her voice. "So, what, we all just hug and play family now?"
Elena turned to her, unbothered. "No. I just want to get to know you… if you'll let me."
Just then, Elizabeth shifted slightly and asked, "How's Nathan?"
Stephanie blinked, surprised by the question. "He's… managing. Angry. Protective."
"Of course he is," her mother murmured.
Elena stiffened slightly beside her mother.
"What is it?" Stephanie asked.
Elizabeth exchanged a look with Elena before saying, carefully, "We need to talk about Nathan."
"Why?" Leo asked, frowning.
Elena's smile faded. "Because… Stephanie, you can't be with him."
Silence.
Stephanie's eyes slowly widened, her lips parting. "Excuse me?"
Elizabeth leaned forward. "I need you to end things with him. Whatever this is, it can't continue."
"You've got to be kidding me." Stephanie stepped back, shaking her head. "You disappear for years and the second you come back, you want to control my life?"
Elena stepped forward, still calm. "Steph, I know this is a lot—"
"No," Stephanie snapped. "You don't know anything about me. You weren't here! You didn't grow up in that house. You didn't watch your mum and sister walk out and never come back!"
Anita flinched. Leo looked between them all, confused.
Elizabeth's voice trembled. "I'm trying to protect you."
Stephanie turned on her. "Protect me? From what? From being happy? From the only man who's ever made me feel safe? Don't you dare."
"Steph—" Elena started.
"No! You don't get to speak now. You don't get to show up and suddenly become big sister of the year." Stephanie's voice cracked. "I love him. And you want me to throw that away because of what? Because you say so?"
Elizabeth reached for her hand. "You don't understand, sweetheart. If you knew the whole story—"
"Then tell me!" Leo demanded. "What is going on? Why are you both acting like Nathan is a ticking bomb? Why did you want to see him so badly?"
Elizabeth looked down.
Elena exhaled sharply. "Mom, maybe it's time."
"No," Elizabeth whispered. "Not yet."
"Then I'll do it," Elena snapped, finally losing the calm exterior.
"Elena, don't," Elizabeth warned.
Elena turned to Stephanie, eyes suddenly fierce. "You want the truth? Fine. You want to know why you can't be with him?"
Stephanie glared at her. "Go on."
Elena's voice dropped, and her words landed like thunder. "Because our father… is the reason Nathan's parents are dead."
Everyone froze.
Stephanie's breath caught. Anita clutched Leo's arm. Leo stared, his mouth open.
"He caused the accident. The fire," Elena said. "That's the truth. That's why Mom left that night. And that's why you can't be with him."
There was a silence so loud, it echoed.
Stephanie, Leo, and Anita all said the same word, at the exact same time.
"What?"