Edge of Ruin
I stumbled down the attic stairs, lunging into the bathroom, retching violently over the toilet. My stomach heaved, nothing came. Splashing icy water, I met the mirror—a man with bloodshot eyes, a trapped beast. Siblings? Sara and I were siblings?! It was a hellish, cruel joke! Past sweetness, arguments, intimate embraces and kisses... morphed into poisoned barbs piercing my nerves. We'd lived together as husband and wife for two years! Shuddering uncontrollably, I leaned against the cold tile.
Demanding Truth
I don't recall driving home. Lights were on. Sara sat on the couch, lost in thought. Seeing me, she rose, concern on her face: "Luke, you look terrible..." I walked over, placing the faded, damning photo gently on the coffee table, face up. Beside it, the open notebook, pages turned to the crucial entries. My voice was a stranger's rasp: "Sara. Tell me. Who is Liz? Your mother... Elizabeth?" My eyes locked onto hers, searching.
Sara's Confession
Her gaze fell on the evidence. The last vestige of color fled her face. She staggered, collapsing onto the sofa, hands covering her face, shoulders shaking violently. Broken sobs escaped her fingers. An eternity later, she lifted a tear-streaked face, her eyes shattered. "Yes," she whispered, voice trembling beyond recognition. "Liz... was Elizabeth... Robert is my biological father." Each word landed like a dull thud. "I only found out recently. My mother... she told me in her final letter."
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