The Family Secret

by Kiersten Modglin

Genres: Domestic Thrillers; Suspense

Synopsis

When freshly engaged Austyn Murphy and Lowell Bass receive the news that Lowell's parents have died unexpectedly, they set out for the historic Bass estate to handle their affairs and lay the former heads of the family to rest. Enshrouded in layers of secrecy and tradition, the Bass estate, and the family residing within its walls, give anything but a warm welcome. When the idea of staying in the home permanently is brought up, Austyn witnesses a side of her future husband she's never seen before. Late one night, Austyn overhears a whispered conversation, revealing she hasn't been given the full truth about the world she's marrying into. And when Emily, an old friend, calls with devastating news of her own, Lowell and Austyn invite her to join them for a visit at the estate. Upon Emily's arrival, a confession is made, causing a rift in the seemingly impenetrable bond the girls once had. As Emily settles into their home, becoming closer to Lowell than ever before, Austyn fears she's made a grave mistake. Trapped inside the Bass estate under the ever-watchful eye of the staff and her soon-to-be family, Austyn makes another chilling discovery—something so terrible it changes everything. With distressing revelations hidden around every corner and time running out before final decisions are made about her future, Austyn must uncover the truth about the opulent and powerful Bass family...at the risk of becoming another one of their dark secrets.

Release date: January 31, 2023

Publisher: Kiersten Modglin

Print pages: 282

Reader says this book is...: suspenseful (1) unexpected twists (1) unputdownable (1)

Sample

Chapter One

 

Austyn

 

They’re dead.

They’re actually…actually dead.

If this wasn’t the worst time possible, I might make a joke that they died to avoid finally meeting me. But…yeah, not the right time.

Lowell runs a hand over his jaw, staring off into space with such pain in his eyes it physically hurts me. I want to take it away from him, but I can’t. No one can. That’s the worst part of grief, isn’t it? No one can share it with you. Not really. 

“What…what happened?”

He blinks, clearing his throat and staring down at me as if he might’ve forgotten I’m still standing here. “Um…she…she didn’t say.”

She is his sister, from what I’ve gathered. Another relative I’ve yet to meet.

“There was an accident.”

“An accident? Like…a car accident?”

“She didn’t say,” he repeats, his voice stern.

“Right.” My shoulders slump. My first test as a fiancée, and I’m failing miserably. “I’m so sorry, Lowell. What can I do?”

His eyes flick to me, brimming with tears, and he shakes his head. “I don’t…” His voice catches. “I’m not ready for this.” With that, he leans forward and I barely register what’s happening as he falls into my arms. He’s collected, not openly sobbing or anything, but I know he wants to. How could he not? 

His parents have both just died.

I rub his back as he breathes against me, one hand pressed firmly over his mouth. “It’s going to be okay.” I try to fill the silence with something, anything, though tears have begun to strangle my own words. “I’m here. We’ll get through this.”

He pulls back, spinning around and moving away from me. “I just need some space for a minute.”

“Of course. Do you want me to send everyone home?” I glance toward the door, the sounds of the New Year’s Eve party just outside of it grating at my nerves for the first time.

“No,” he says quickly, waving me off. “Just give me a minute to…” He doesn’t finish the sentence. “I’ll be back.”

“Sure.” When he disappears, I open a browser window on my phone, not yet ready to face the party outside either. At least I can be useful somehow. I check into flights to San Francisco, noting that there’s one that leaves tomorrow morning with a few first-class seats left.

I’ll tell him about it when we’re together again.

Just then, there’s a knock at the door and, when it pops open, my mother eases her head inside. The short, graying bob sways as she eyes me. “Is everything okay? Lowell just walked past… He looked upset.”

I swallow. I should tell her. He won’t care if I tell her, but I can’t bring myself to. 

“Everything’s fine,” I offer gently.

Seeing straight through the lie, she crosses the room toward me with her lips pressed together. She’s always been able to read me, but just this once, I wish she wouldn’t. It’s not a secret, and yet, it doesn’t feel like my news to share.

“You’ve been crying.” It’s not a question. Her tone is soft, and when she reaches both hands out to hold my arms, I can’t stop the tears from falling.

As the first sob comes, I drop my face into my hands. My phone digs into my temple. I don’t know why I’m crying. I have no right to. I didn’t know my soon-to-be in-laws. I’ve never met them and have only spoken to them on the phone. But the selfish part of me knows this changes everything. I know that the beautiful, happy life Lowell and I had just hours ago is gone forever. From this moment forward, he’ll be a parentless adult. He’ll know loss greater than he ever has. And, for that reason, he’ll never be the same.

We’ll never be the same.

“His parents…” I whisper as my mom draws me into her arms, rubbing my back rhythmically. It makes it all better, somehow. It erases my anxiety like chalk on a chalkboard. 

How is she able to do that? Is that what I did for Lowell? Given how quickly he wanted to be away from me, I’d guess not.

“Oh, no.” She seems to understand without me needing to say more. When I pull back, her eyes are pinched with pain. “What happened?”

“I’m not sure, he just—”

The door opens and Lowell reappears, his eyes glassy and red-rimmed. He clears his throat as he takes in the two of us standing there, knowing what we’re talking about.

“Hi, honey…” I ease toward him.

“I’m okay.” He tucks his chin to his chest long enough to sniffle, but quickly regains composure.

“I’ll give you two some privacy,” Mom says, squeezing Lowell’s arm as she moves past us before catching my eye over his shoulder.

When the door shuts, he grimaces. “My sister is already there. I’m going to look into flights for us…” He pauses. “The jet’s being serviced, and I don’t want to wait. If you don’t want to come, or…”

“What are you talking about? Of course I’m coming. Don’t be ridiculous.”

“You don’t enjoy flying.” He presses his lips together. 

“But I love you.”

“And you have so much going on with the bakery.”

“I’m coming, Lowell,” I say firmly, gripping his arms as I close the space between us. “I wouldn’t allow myself to be anywhere else.”

He leans down with a sigh of relief, pressing his lips to mine. “Thank you,” he says with a breath, barely pulling away from me before his lips graze mine again.

“I was actually already looking into flights.” I pull out my phone, still holding on to him with one arm. “There’s one at six in the morning or another at noon.”

He nods, taking my phone and scrolling through it. Outside, the party has quieted down, and I have no doubts my mom is sending people home. It’s what Lowell needs right now, even if he can’t admit it. 

The moment you find out your parents are dead is no time for a New Year’s Eve party.

I press up on my toes and kiss his cheek. “I’m here with you, you know? I know what it’s like. I know how you feel.”

He swallows. It’s not the same, I know. Losing one parent isn’t the equivalent of losing two at once, but it’s enough. I can’t imagine a pain that’s worse. Now we’re both members of a club no one wants to join.

“I know. I love you.” He kisses me back just as his phone buzzes. Pulling it out of his blazer pocket, he shakes his head. “It’s Fallon. I need to take this.”

I nod, disappointed when he walks out of the room without another word. I know he needs to be with his siblings right now, so of course his sister’s call is important, but I wish he’d just talk to me. 

Really talk.

From the moment he received the phone call, I could feel a wall being constructed between us. He’s never made me feel like this before. Like I’m on the outside. A nuisance he has to deal with, rather than a fiancée who can help.

Am I just imagining this?