ONM: Chapter 23

**Vivien**

Tears welled up in my eyes as I turned to look at Penelope, who now had a visible expression of pity and sadness. She took my hand and held it tightly.

“I'm here, okay? No matter what happens, I'm here for you. I won't leave you, Girl.” I glanced again at the stairs they had gone up. I hoped I was wrong, I hoped Dad wasn't deceiving us.

Slowly, I pulled my hand away from Penelope, then, trembling, I picked up the envelope I had dropped on the table. Confused, I looked at Penelope again.

“H-how did you know that Dad and Loraine would be here?” She sighed.

“I had someone follow Loraine, so I know her movements. From the first time I saw that woman, I had a bad feeling. That's why I told you I'd find out more about her. And I wasn't wrong. Inside that envelope is everything, Girl—the truth and the lies they've been hiding from you for so long.”My hands trembled even more as I looked at the envelope.

“That's also why I didn't reach out to you for a month. I wanted to b