The Last Maharajan (Romantic Thriller/Women's Fiction) by Susan Wingate

frustration and Euly wondered if she were frowning. “Just ask me.”
    “Just ask you, huh?”
    “Yes. What’s so hard about that?” She set down her baba and leaned in.
    “It’s not like we were ever related, right? Not biologically, right?”
    “No but we were as good as.”
    Euly leaned back in her chair and put her fork down. She grabbed her Arak and slugged it back.
    “Euly. What is it?” Aunt Moon forced.
    “Mother said that you and dad were not quite over with when you and Uncle Teddy got together and Uncle Teddy married you because you were pregnant. There.” She breathed out relief.
    “What! Why would your mother say something like that!
    “She said that Micaiah was my biological brother, my half-brother and that she wanted me to know that I had a brother before she died.”
    “Good God.”
    “So, what does that mean? Is it true or not?”
    “It’s most certainly not true.”
    “She said you would say that too.”
    “Oh, my God. Do you believe her?”
    “She is my mother, auntie.”
    “She’s lying.”
    “She said you might say that too, auntie and that you had the birth records to prove it.”
    Aunt Moon sat unmoving and stunned. Euly went on.
    “She said that I should ask you to see Micaiah’s birth record.”
    “There’s nothing on his record that proves your father is Micaiah’s father.”
    “So it’s your word against my mother’s.”
    “I suppose it is.”
    “Can I at least see the birth record?”
    “If I can’t prove the matter one way or the other then what’s the point?”
    “I just thought it would help me somehow.”
    “Help you how?”
    “I don’t know maybe I could be able to tell one way or the other.”
    “How about this, my dear, how about you request an exhuming, dig up my poor dead son’s body, do one of those, uh, uh, DNA tests and find the truth out that way!” She stood. “You’ve more than worn out your welcome, young lady. You’d better go.”
    “Auntie. I’m sorry but if I could just see his birth certificate, I know I could tell.”
    “Now!” She lifted her arm and pointed to the door. “You have to leave. You come here and insult me like this after everything. I won’t have it. Now, leave. This instant.”

     
    CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
    “She made me leave.”
    “It couldn’t be your winning personality, could it?”
    “What does that mean,” It wasn’t a question but a demand.
    They were in the arms of an argument and she wasn’t about to back down.
    “Look, Euly. All I know is you have a way about you. That’s all I’m going to say.”
    “A way.”
    “Yes. A way. And you never let up.”
    “You have no idea what even happened and you’re telling me it’s my fault.”
    “I can only imagine.”
    “You know, Geoff, if you could imagine you’d understand why I’m here and you’re there. Goodbye.” Officially, saying ‘goodbye’ meant she hadn’t hung up on him. Geoff hated people hanging up on him, especially Euly. She remembered once when she had. He called back immediately and told her never to do it again. He added emphasis by telling her to pull her head out of her ass. At the time, it was funny. Now, however, it felt sickening. At dark crevice in the back of her mind, she couldn’t believe she was married.
    She felt as though they couldn’t talk to each other anymore. Their conversation got off to a rough start and tumbled into a battle. She’d only intended to ask why he hadn’t answered the phone but her question sounded contrived. His retort felt like an accusation. She ended the conversation wondering why she called at all. What she really wanted was to tell him she missed him, tell him about what happened with her aunt. She tried but he baited her.

     
    CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
    The sun was warm through the hotel window where she dunked her tea bag into the steeping water. She was lounging and felt ill-prepared to start another day. She awoke with a sense of being unconnected. Her dreams were so out of line with