Page 471 of Hidden Depths

And beneath them lay a letter addressed to all of us.

Storm unfolded it.

“My girls,” she read.

Her voice trembled.

“If you are reading this, then Blackwater found you despite everything I did to keep it buried.”

Thomas lowered his head.

Storm continued.

“I’m sorry for the secrets. A secret can protect a child, but it can also become a wall between the adults those children grow into. I should have trusted you sooner.”

Calle wiped her eyes.

“I taught each of you a direction because I knew you would need one another long after I was gone. Storm, you are North—not because you must carry everyone, but because you remind them where they are.”

Storm’s voice broke.

I moved closer.

She continued.

“Calle, you are East, where the sun rises, because you see what others miss and bring hidden things into the light.”

Calle touched the new camera.

“Ivy, you are South because warmth follows you into every room, even when you pretend otherwise.”

Ivy laughed through her tears.

“Willow, you are West because you hear what changes before anyone else sees the storm approaching.”

Willow covered her mouth.

“And Hazel, you are Home because every family needs someone who remembers why they began.”

Hazel began crying openly.

The sisters closed around her.

Storm handed the letter to Elanore.

Mom read the final paragraphs.

“Elanore, my daughter-in-law, who is a true daughter to me. Forgive an old man who thought he could protect you from every painful truth. Daniel loved you until his final breath. If Nathan is standing beside you when this letter is opened, please tell him I knew.”

Nathan went completely still.

Mom looked at him.

“Knew what?” Hazel asked.

Everyone turned toward her.

Hazel blinked innocently.