Chapter 9 — The Request Rowena Rejected
The attorney placed a copied record on the table.
“This was part of the archived correspondence.”
Stellan read the date.
His eighteenth birthday year.
Evelyn had written to Rowena and Edmund.
Her request was simple.
Stellan is now legally an adult.
I believe the time for secrecy has ended.
I would like to tell him the truth with both of you present so he does not feel forced to choose between us.
Stellan stared.
Then read Rowena’s response.
I do not believe disclosure serves Stellan’s interests at this time.
He knows you as his aunt and is happy.
We will not destabilize him to relieve your guilt.
Stellan closed his eyes.
Adeline sat beside him.
“She called Evelyn wanting to tell you the truth ‘relieving guilt.’”
Stellan nodded.
He felt sick.
Another attachment showed that Edmund had disagreed privately.
Stellan’s adoptive father had written a handwritten note on a copy:
Rowena, we cannot keep postponing this forever.
He deserves to know before the truth reaches him from someone else.
Stellan stared at his father’s handwriting.
Edmund had died when Stellan was twenty-four.
“Dad knew she was wrong.”
The attorney nodded carefully.
“The file suggests he wanted disclosure.”
“I can’t tell you what happened privately.”
Stellan found one later letter from Edmund.
It was never sent.
Only a draft.
Stellan, there is something about your birth Rowena and I should have told you long ago.
It ended there.
Stellan covered his face.
Two people had tried.
Evelyn.
Then Edmund.
Rowena had stopped the truth both times.
Not because Stellan was too young forever.
Because she was afraid.
Adeline said quietly:
“Fear can explain something without excusing it.”
Stellan nodded.
That evening, he called Rowena.
Not to invite her back.
To ask one question.
“Did Dad want to tell me?”
There was silence on the line.
Then:
“Yes.”
Stellan closed his eyes.
“And you stopped him too.”
Rowena began crying.
“Yes.”
Stellan almost ended the call.
Then Rowena said:
“There is something else you need to know about Evelyn.”
Stellan’s eyes opened.
He was done with surprise revelations.
But this one was different.
It did not make Rowena look better.
It revealed what Evelyn had quietly done for Stellan throughout his childhood without ever receiving credit for it.