I thought I had buried my past, but when my grandson blackmailed me into taking him, my daughter barged in, and my ex needed a ride, I realized it wasn\u2019t over.<\/p>\n
I returned home late, the cold night air chasing leaves down the driveway. Belinda had retreated to her room after our earlier conversation, and the house was silent, even Bugsy sprawled out on the couch. I had no time to sleep.<\/p>\n
I rummaged through the closet for my jewelry box, buried beneath old letters. Just as I started searching, Scooter appeared.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou looking for something, ma\u2019am?\u201d he whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot now, Theo. Go to bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll tell you where it is if you take me with you tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n
I groaned, frustrated. \u201cFine, but no one else can know.\u201d<\/p>\n
He handed me the box with a grin, and inside were old memories\u2014an address I\u2019d been searching for.<\/p>\n
The next morning, Scooter was waiting outside with a packed bag, ready for the trip. Belinda showed up, claiming she should come too.<\/p>\n
We barely left the city when we saw Harold stranded with a flat tire. After some reluctance, I let him join us. Scooter, excited, promised it would be an adventure.<\/p>\n
As we drove, Scooter questioned us, trying to figure out our mysterious destination. Eventually, we reached an old house that looked frozen in time. Harold stiffened when he saw it.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Nina\u2019s house,\u201d he said. \u201cWhy are we here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Turns out, Nina wasn\u2019t just our nanny. She was my childhood friend, and the baby she had taken in\u2014Belinda\u2019s daughter\u2014wasn\u2019t Harold\u2019s. It was time to uncover long-held family secrets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I thought I had buried my past, but when my grandson blackmailed me into taking him, my daughter barged in, and my ex needed a ride, I realized it wasn\u2019t over. I returned home late, the cold night air chasing leaves down the driveway. Belinda had retreated to her room after our earlier conversation, and…<\/p>\n