The Work of a Legacy

Chapter Seventeen

Stelara POV

Dearest Minato,

I just received your wedding invitation in the mail, and I could not be more happy for you and George. I am unfortunately unable to attend, but I send this gift to you in hopes that you will read it and keep it forever in your mind. Jerry Hillenburg stole the words straight out of my own mouth when he wrote this.

Forever in Your Mind,

Your (Ex) Wife,

Miela.

I stare unbelievingly at the small package in my hands. Next to me, Roza and Ora struggle to hold all that was left to them in her will. Most of the things will have to be shipped to their houses.

"Well, go ahead, open it," Rozabela coaxes encouragingly, wiping fruitlessly at her smudged mascara.

"It's probably really thoughtful," Ora volunteers. "Size can be deceiving. After all, mama was so little, but she carried so much love inside of her."

I try to form a smile on my face, but instead end up making a grab for the tissue box again. Carefully, I peel the tape from the thick brown paper and lift a book out from it.

"Oh, I bet it's that book she always kept hidden from us. You're really lucky, Stelara," Orabela sniffs, seeing the back of the cover.

I lift the book cover closer to my face.

Am I seeing things?

"Um, Stelara? Are you okay? What is it?"

I continue to stare in disbelief.

"Rozabela, something's wrong with Stelara!"

"I'm fine," I whisper faintly and set the book down, hiding the title.

Roza smiles sadly. "She knew how much you enjoyed reading. What is it? Pride and Prejudice? You always loved that book."

I shake my head.

"Um... is it by Jane Austen?"

I shake my head again.

"Can I see it?"

I nod, feeling dizzy all of a sudden.

Roza picks up the book and reads the title.

Silence.

"Rozabela, she looks ready to faint again. For goodness sakes, what is it already?"

Silently, Roza lies the book, cover up, on the table.

"Oh. Oh, my gosh," Ora says simply. "She-she..."

My mother, who killed herself, left me one thing only in her will. A book.

A book by an author named Jerry Hillenburg.

"Why Homosexual Marriage is Wrong."

Orabela shakes her head. "There's been a mistake. That makes no sense."

"There's no mistake, Orabela. It's all so obvious now."

"What's obvious?"

I stare at Orabela, my intense gaze causing her to shift uncomfortably. "You showed her the contract. She demanded to come see me to check to see if it was true. When she found her evidence, she killed herself. Because of me."

"What contract? What is she talking about?" Roza whispers, sounding much like a timid mouse.

"Have Ora tell you later. Honestly, I just want to go to bed right now."