Buried Truth (2)

Third person's POV

Katherine burst into Moira's office, concern written all over the secretary's face.

"Mrs. Sinclair! I heard you scream. What happened?" She asked, her eyes searching the office for any sign of invasion. 

Moira blinked rapidly, her hands still trembling by her sides. 

"Nothing. I just... thought I saw a spider." She said, trying to keep her voice steady and her hands calm. 

Katherine narrowed her eyes at her response. 

"A spider? But you are not afraid of spiders. Last month you killed that huge one in the conference room while the cleaner was hiding behind her cleaning trunk." The secretary pointed out, looking at Moira suspiciously. 

"Okay, Katherine, you can get back to work. I am fine." Moira said almost too sharply and took her seat gently, attempting to regain her composure.

"But—"

Before Katherine could protest further, the door swung open again as Calix strode in, his signature grin plastered across his face. 

"My favourite mentor has finally return! Couldn't stay away from work even during your honeymoon, huh? This is why I look up to you so much." Calix stated excitedly. 

"And that was why you had to disturb her on her honeymoon by sending work emails?" Katherine snapped at Calix chidingly. 

Moira was grateful for the interruption and used that moment to take few deep breaths. 

Meanwhile, Calix glared at Katherine and continued talking. 

"You won't believe the cases we've got lined up this week..." Calix continued, pulling out his tablet. 

"The Robertson settlement needs immediate attention, and don't even get me started on the mess with Gracia's settlement. Plus, three new divorce cases came in just yesterday."

Katherine cut in at that point. 

"Calix, Mrs. Sinclair just..."

"Send me the files. All of them. I will review them right away." Moira interrupted quickly. 

Katherine shot her a worried look, but Moira avoided her gaze.

"That's our star attorney! I knew we could count on you." Calix beamed. 

"The Gracia case especially needs your magic touch. The opposing counsel is being particularly difficult about the asset division."

Moira nodded mechanically, her mind drifting. 

'*It's just a coincidence. No one knows what really happened that day. It's just some writer with an overactive imagination.*' She told herself. 

"Mrs. Sinclair?" Calix's voice sounded distant.

*Blood. There was so much blood.*

"Mrs. Sinclair?"

*Monica lying there, so still...*

"Moira!"

She jolted back to the present, finding both Katherine and Calix staring at her with concerned expressions.

"Are you feeling alright? You never space out during work discussions." Katherine asked softly. 

"I'm fine!" Moira snapped, then immediately softened her tone. 

"I just didn't sleep well. Could you both give me a moment? I need to review these files."

"But—" Katherine started.

"Katherine!" Moira called out warningly. 

Calix nodded, grabbing Katherine's arm. 

"Come on, Kat. Let's let her work her magic. You know how she gets when she is in the zone."

After they left, Moira rested in her chair. 

"Pull yourself together, It is just a stupid web novel. Just fiction. Nobody knows..." She whispered. 

But the memories crashed over her, blurring out the present...

 FLASHBACK

*"You don't understand anything! You think you are so much better than everyone else! Let go of me!"* Monica had shouted, yanking off from Moira's hold.

Then it had happened just like how the writer had described in the novel. 

Monica had stumbled. 

*Time had slowed to a crawl. Moira could still remember every excruciating detail: the way Monica's eyes had widened in surprise, her arms windmilling as she lost her balance, the sound of her heel catching on the edge of the step.*

*One step.*

*Two steps.*

*Then nothing but air.*

*The thud had been sickeningly final.*

Moira had raced down the grand staircase, her heart threatening to burst from her chest. Her knee had scraped against the marble, but she hadn't felt the pain. 

All she could see was the growing pool of blood beneath Monica's head, spreading across the floor. 

*"Monica? Monica, please... God, please" Her voice had been barely a whisper.*

Moira had reached out with trembling fingers, but couldn't bring herself to touch her sister's still form. The blue dress Monica had on was turning purple where it met the blood.

*"Help! Somebody help us!" She had tried to scream, but her voice had failed her.*

*The world had started spinning and her eyes could no longer stay open. The last thing she remembered was the smell of blood filling her nostrils before darkness claimed her.*

*When she opened her eyes again, the hospital lights had been blinding. The constant beeping of machines had replaced the deafening silence of the mansion. Her parents had been there, her mother's face streaked with tears, her father's usual commanding presence diminished by grief.*

*"What happened to Monica?" Moira had asked as soon as she found her voice.*

*Her mother had burst into fresh tears, turning away. Her father's face had been carved from stone as he spoke the words that would haunt her forever: 

"We lost her."

*"No... no, that can't be..."* Moira shook her head vigorously even though it hurt to do so. 

*"What do you remember, sweetie?" her mother had asked between sobs.*

*The fear had been instantaneous and overwhelming. What if they blamed her? What if they knew about the argument? What if they found out she had grabbed Monica's arm?*

*"I... I don't remember anything." So she had lied.* And that made it worse, she only felt guiltier. 

*"That's impossible! You were right there! You should know what happened!" Her mother had exclaimed.*

*"My dear, We should be grateful we didn't lose both of them. Let it go."* Her father had cut in sharply. 

*The guilt had been a physical weight on her chest, crushing her until she couldn't breathe...*

 END OF FLASHBACK

Her phone's sharp ring yanked her back to the present. She grabbed it, grateful for the distraction, then froze when she saw the caller ID.

Her finger hovered over the screen for a moment before she accepted the call. She waited, holding her breath, not trusting herself to speak first.

The silence stretched for several seconds before the caller began to speak. The words however made her jaw drop.

"What? No, you wouldn't do that..." She whispered. 

"Listen to me—" She tried to talk but the call was cut off abruptly.

Moira glared at her phone for a moment, then hurled it across the room with a frustrated growl.