**The Secret That Shattered a Family**
Sophie’s illness weighs heavily on Edward, the man who’s spent his whole life believing she was his mother.
“Eddie, I don’t have much time left,” Sophie whispers weakly, her voice trembling. “Promise me you won’t tell William or Charlotte the secret I’m about to reveal. And promise you’ll keep the peace after I’m gone.”
“I promise,” Edward answers firmly, squeezing her cold hand. He’s always loved her, even though she’s devoted more attention to William and Charlotte over the years.
“Eddie… we’re not mother and son…” she murmurs.
Edward freezes, his heart twisting in horror. What does she mean?
“William, we have to sell the old house in that Yorkshire back-end,” Charlotte insists. “Who needs that crumbling dump? It’s just sitting there empty! Sell it, split the money!”
“It’s not costing us anything,” William counters. “Life’s unpredictable—what if one of us needs it? You, me, even Eddie might want a place to return to someday.”
“Not costing us? Who’s covering the council tax on this ‘palace’ with a view of a neglected field?” Charlotte sneers, her usual haughty expression twisting her lips. “Wait until we’re ancient? I want to live now!”
Charlotte works as an accountant at a local firm. Her husband, Daniel, is a lorry driver. She believes she’s done him a favour by marrying him, while his mother quietly thinks her son should dump this “flighty upstart who gallivants around with her mates in posh restaurants—or worse.” Charlotte’s life is a constant battle with her mother-in-law and futile attempts to push Daniel into further education to “make something of himself.” Daniel shrugs it off, dismissing it as nagging, unaware his wife is already eyeing someone “more promising.” He assumes his mum is just jealous and clings to the pride of having a wife, even if love has faded.
William considers himself the most successful of the three. He works in local government, climbing the ranks quickly, and has settled in Leeds with a council flat. His wife, Olivia, and their two children—twelve-year-old Alfie and six-year-old Emily—live modestly on his salary. Olivia once tried running a dressmaking business, but it failed, and she resigned herself to “holding on to what she’s got.” William knows Edward and Charlotte have no children and secretly hopes the family home will go to his own. He doesn’t voice it, but the thought warms him.
William has another family—his mistress, Rebecca, and their two sons. He’s been with her nearly as long as with Olivia. Back then, he chose Olivia because she got pregnant first, but he’s never left Rebecca. Olivia suspects but stays silent—she has nowhere else to go, no flat of her own. William takes advantage, playing the devoted husband.
“Eddie, it’s Charlotte. I spoke to William—he won’t sell his share. Back me up on this!” Charlotte’s voice crackles through the phone.
“Charlotte, I don’t need the money. Sort it out with William—I’ll accept whatever you both decide,” Edward replies curtly.
“You always distance yourself!” she snaps. “I’m divorcing Daniel, starting fresh. I need money for a place of my own. No decent man’s chasing a thirty-five-year-old with no assets! Daniel’s only selling point is his flat—his mum’s inheritance.”
“I know your plans, but I won’t support them. Without Daniel, you’ll lose yourself completely. Remember the times I dragged you out of trouble?”
Edward, the eldest, has done well for himself. He’d planned to support William and keep the house, but the conversation with Charlotte changes everything.
“William, Charlotte wants to sell her share. You’re doing alright—what if I gift you mine, and you buy hers? The house is yours—everyone wins,” he suggests.
“Who do you take me for?” William scowls. “Charlotte’ll demand top price! If she gets desperate, I’ll lowball her. But sure, gift me your share—I won’t say no. You’re the rich one here!”
The five-year gap between them doesn’t stop William’s envy. He resents Edward’s success, needles him. Charlotte irritates him too, but they maintain an uneasy truce. Edward’s calm infuriates them both—Charlotte masks it with flattery, while William outright mocks him.
Edward remembers Sophie’s words:
“Eddie, I don’t have long. Promise you won’t tell William or Charlotte the secret, and that you’ll keep the family together.”
Illness and grief have worn her down since her husband—the love of her life—died of a heart attack a year ago. Edward was raised by his grandparents but never resented Sophie, though she visited rarely and favoured William and Charlotte. He loved her anyway, ready to shoulder any burden.
“Eddie… we’re not mother and son. You’re my brother… by our father. You’re his child by a younger woman. He raised you as his grandson,” she whispers. “My mother—your grandmother—wouldn’t let him acknowledge you. I adopted you. I loved Father so much…”
Edward can’t process it. The woman he called Mum was his sister. His grandfather—his father.
“Why didn’t you tell me? Where’s my real mother?”
“I never knew her. Father paid her off, and she disappeared. I wouldn’t have said anything… but I’m afraid for William and Charlotte. Charlotte’s reckless, William’s eaten up by envy. I failed you all.”
“Did you stay away because of me?”
“No. My husband hated children. Said if I brought William and Charlotte, he’d leave. I couldn’t abandon him. But you—you still love me?”
“I’ve always loved you. Even more now.” Edward fights tears.
“I know. Charlotte thinks I was a bad mother; William blames our father and resents me. My life’s been wasted. Even the house, overlooking that old cemetery… I wanted to fix the past, but I’m too late. Will you look after them?”
Edward nods, holding her. He accepted long ago that she loved William and Charlotte more.
For years, the fate of the house lingers. Edward can’t find a solution. William’s bitterness and Charlotte’s scheming poison every conversation.
“William, the downstairs neighbour flooded the place. I’m worried they’ll leave the gas on—I’ll insure the house,” Edward says.
William hears only mockery: *”I’m better than you, rich man, while you’re a failure.”*
“Spare me your charity! That’s it?” he barks.
Charlotte’s response is the opposite.
“Oh, Eddie, what would we do without you! Already paid? You’re a genius!”
But Edward knows her flattery hides disdain. He pities her—once kind, now hardened by life’s disappointments.
One day, William calls Charlotte.
“Edward’s sent a solicitor. Transferred his share to us—half each. Says he won’t speak to us again. Did you upset him?”
“Hardly! He’s always been odd. Let him sulk—he’ll be back. But I’m keeping my share.”
William regrets his harshness, but it’s too late. Neither he nor Charlotte ever appreciated Edward—now he’s gone.
“Mr. Hartley, it’s done. Good timing on the insurance—the neighbour caused a gas leak. The house is damaged; everyone’s been evacuated,” the solicitor reports.
“William and Charlotte will get the payout?”
“Yes, I’ll ensure it.”
Edward gazes at Sophie’s photo.
“I kept my promise,” he murmurs.
Who was he to William and Charlotte? An outsider? No—he’s carried them for years. But he realises his help only enables them. Signing over his share, he walks away.
As Sophie said: *”Tried to fix the past, but arrived too late for the present.”*
He won’t make the same mistake. The house overlooking the graveyard is in ruins. Not yet forty, Edward begins anew.
Who is he without them?
That’s what he’ll find out.
