For days, Hazel couldn't shake the nagging feeling in her gut.
The unknown calls, Peter's tense behavior, Sarah's comment—it was all too much to ignore now.
Quietly, and with a heavy heart, she began her own investigation.
She didn't want to believe Peter was hiding something terrible, but she needed answers — for her peace of mind.
First, she carefully checked his social media accounts — nothing unusual.
Then she contacted a private investigator her lawyer once recommended.
She felt guilty even taking that step, but her instincts wouldn't rest.
The investigator worked quickly, and within days, Hazel received a short report.
As she scanned through it, her stomach tightened.
"Subject has been visiting an address outside the city regularly over the past month.
No criminal record.
No financial issues. But multiple visits logged at a private care facility registered to a Mrs. Margaret Sinclair — the subject's mother."
Hazel froze.
His mother?
Peter had never spoken about his mother before.
In all their time together, he always steered conversations away from his family. And now, suddenly, she discovers he's been visiting a care facility?
Hazel's head spun.
Was this the reason for the secrecy? Or was this just another cover?
Still torn, she decided to confront him — but she needed to see it for herself first.
The next morning, Hazel drove to the address listed in the report. She parked
discreetly and watched from a distance. Sure enough, not long after, Peter arrived.
She followed him inside, her heart pounding with guilt and fear.
The facility was clean and quiet.
She waited near the entrance, her breath caught in her throat.
After a few minutes, she finally saw him down the hallway, entering a room.
Summoning all her courage, she stepped forward.
"Peter?" she called softly.
Peter spun around, his face flashing first with surprise, then guilt, then something almost like relief. "Hazel?"
Hazel approached slowly, her eyes darting toward the room he had entered.
Inside, she saw an older woman — frail, pale, lying in bed with tubes attached.
A nurse quietly checked her vitals.
Peter quickly walked over to Hazel, taking her hand.
"I… I didn't want you to find out this way."
Hazel blinked, trying to understand. "Your mother?"
Peter sighed heavily, his voice breaking. "Yes.
She's been sick for a long time.
She has a degenerative illness.
I've been taking care of her as much as I can.
" His eyes glistened as emotion overtook him.
"I didn't tell you because… I didn't want you to worry.
I didn't want you to think I was keeping a secret to push you away.
This… this is hard for me."
Hazel's heart twisted.
Guilt rushed in, washing over her suspicion.
Tears stung her eyes as she reached up and touched his cheek.
Peter… why didn't you just tell me?"
"I was ashamed," he whispered.
"Ashamed that I couldn't protect her better.
Ashamed that I'm not always strong. I thought… maybe you wouldn't want someone with this much baggage."
Hazel shook her head, her voice breaking.
You should have trusted me."
He nodded silently.
The nurse from earlier stepped forward gently.
"Mr. Sinclair, I'll let you have some privacy.
I'm sorry I called your phone that night — I was trying to reach you quickly because of a medication reaction."
Hazel froze again — the unknown call.
It was the nurse.
Everything suddenly made sense.
The calls, the tension, the secrecy — it wasn't betrayal. It was fear.
And love. And pain.
Peter led Hazel into the room. As she stood beside him, looking at his fragile mother, a surge of compassion overwhelmed her.
For the first time in weeks, she finally exhaled — but little did she know… the storm wasn't truly over.