Chapter 82. A Secret For Secret

Martha POV

It was difficult to meet Hailey’s gaze. I kept a calm composure, even though my mind was racing in a thousand directions.

I never expected her to discover this. Not this soon. Not like this.

She stepped closer, whispering, “Why did you lie to them, Martha?”

Her tone was soft, almost fragile. But her eyes… those held fire.

“I didn’t lie,” I said stiffly. “I withheld the full story.”

“The full story?” She let out a short, humorless laugh. “You told everyone Jerome died. You said you saw his body. You cried at a funeral that never existed.”

I swallowed, fighting the urge to break eye contact.

“You don’t understand, Hailey.”

“Then help me understand.”