Love And Secrets

By Dorothy White

Love And Secrets

How far are you willing to go to keep the one that you love?

How far are you willing to go to protect the one that you love?

In this 102,000 word romantic suspense novel, Anne Murphy keeps many secrets from Wayne Parker, the man she falls in love with.

Her marriage to him three years after they first meet doesn't make her come clean and tell her new husband what she has been hiding from him.

Instead, because she loves Wayne so much and she doesn't want to lose him, she does something devious during their marriage and hides it from him as well.

Brought up in a strict Catholic family, Anne has to deal with religious conflict, a love/hate relationship with her older sister, a wayward teenage daughter, a guilty conscience, and the constant fear that her husband would eventually find out about her many secrets.

Wayne is a very loving husband who has secrets of his own.

The couple keep secrets from each other in the name of love.

What will happen when all those secrets are eventually exposed?

Find out in this romantic suspense novel, which includes elements of religion and mystery.

Length: 102,000 words approximately

• Language: English
• Publisher: DoroClem Publishing
• Release date: Jan 21, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301971923

Book preview

PART ONE

Chapter 1 – A New Beginning

Have you told him yet? Or are you still hiding it from him? Sharon asked her soon-to-be-married sister Anne as she looked into the mirror. The sisters were in a bedroom of their parents’ home. I am asking because you are going to be married to him in less than two hours.

Anne was wearing a beautiful wedding dress that her mom and sister had helped her choose a few weeks earlier. By the end of that day, she was going to be called Mrs Anne Parker. She was going to become Wayne Parker’s wife.

Anne stopped looking into the mirror and turned to look at her older sister Sharon. It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. She felt a great deal of joy but she was anxious as well. Anne had been waiting for over two years to be Wayne's wife and she wasn't going to let anything spoil her big day.

It's too late for that now Sharon, Anne said after taking in a deep breath. I am not going to do anything that will spoil my day.

You mean that you still haven't told him after all this while? Sharon asked, raising her voice slightly. You do know that once you walk up the aisle towards the altar and exchange wedding vows with Wayne there will be no going back right?

She was very surprised that in spite of her advice, her little sister had decided to hide things from Wayne.

Please keep your voice down Sharon, Anne said, as she walked towards her sister and put an arm on each of her shoulders. You know very well that I haven’t said a word about it to mom and dad either. I never want them to find out about it. I don’t want to be a burden on them. I don’t want to upset them. You are the only person in the world who knows my little secret and you promised not to tell a soul.

Sharon stared at her little sister. Although at 23, Sharon was two years older than Anne was, they were the same height. They also looked very alike and one could mistake them for twins. One noticeable difference between them was the color of their eyes. Sharon had brown eyes, while Anne’s eyes were blue. Both women were blonde, as was their mother.

I understand it if you don’t want to tell mom and dad about it because, as you say, you don’t want to be a burden on them, Sharon started, as she took her sister’s hands off her shoulders and held her hands in hers. But what I can’t get my head around, is the fact that despite my advice, you have still stubbornly decided not to tell Wayne. You are going to be his wife for God’s sake! Surely he has a right to know about it?

Anne shrugged her shoulders. She put her head down and stared at the floor for a few moments as if in deep thought. She then looked at her sister before speaking again.

You are right! Wayne does have a right to know about it, Anne sighed. But I guess it is too late to tell him now. I have hidden it from him during the period of our engagement. I have hidden it away from him for over two years Sharon. I can’t possibly tell him now. I don’t want to hurt him. As much as I feel that he has a right to know, I don’t want to spoil the day for him... Or for me for that matter. We have been waiting for this day for a very long time and I think that it is better if it remains our secret. Well at least for now.

Sharon was not convinced that it was the right thing to do. She had more questions for Anne. As much as she was happy that her sister was getting married to a man that she loved dearly, she didn’t think that it was a good idea to go into a marriage with secrets, especially secrets that may, (or better still will) come back to haunt Anne.

You are very much in love with Wayne. I understand that bit. Everything is quite rosy at the moment and you obviously want nothing to spoil that, Sharon said.

Are you girls almost ready? Anne and Sharon’s mom, Joan Murphy, called out from the living room downstairs. Your dad has to drive us to the church in less than half an hour otherwise Anne will be late for her wedding.

We will be ready in a short while mom, the girls said in unison.

Sharon still had many questions for her sister.

Now back to what I was saying. Have you thought about what would happen when Wayne starts asking questions? You may be able to hide it from him for a while after you get married to him. But surely, you won’t be able to hide it from him forever? I mean, he is bound to find out at some point. And when he does find out, what are you going to do then? What excuse are you going to give to him when he asks you why you didn’t tell him about it when he proposed to you or maybe sometime before you got married to him? What are you going to say then? Are you going to feign total innocence? Or are you going to say that you lied about it because you loved him too much and you did not want him to leave you?

Anne knew very well that Sharon had a point. The decision on whether or not to tell Wayne about it was a dilemma that had hung over her for over two years. It was getting too much for Anne to handle. She burst into tears!

Come here little sister, Sharon said, as she hugged Anne. "You do know that it was not my intention to make you cry don’t you? Sharon patted Anne’s back as tears streamed down her face. Although a certain degree of sibling rivalry existed between the two sisters, (more from Sharon towards her sister Anne) they decided to put that aside during Anne’s big day.

What do you want me to do Sharon? Anne asked her older sister. If I tell Wayne that I have been hiding it from him for all this while, he may change his mind. He may decide not to get married to me anymore. I would understand it if he did that but I would be deeply hurt. If he did that, my heart would be broken! I would be devastated. Over two years of my life would have gone to waste.

On the other hand, you could marry him, and then when he later finds out about it one, two, or three years into the marriage, he could seek a divorce then, Sharon said. Wouldn’t it be a very good idea to tell him the truth now and let him decide if he still wants to go ahead with the wedding? Doing that may instead work in your favor. He may love you even more for being honest with him.

I can’t do it Sharon! Anne said suddenly, as she stopped hugging her sister."

Fair enough, Sharon sighed. But tell me one thing. How are you going to handle things when Wayne gets to find out about your secret? When he finds out that you hid it from him for over two years before you got married and then you continued hiding it from him during maybe one, two, or three years of marriage. I am not going to tell him but trust me little sister, he WILL eventually find out. You can’t hide it from him forever.

I will sort something out, Anne said, crossing her arms. I’ll cross the bridge when I get there.

Anne looked at her sister suspiciously. She knew very well what her sister was capable of. Sharon could be devious at times and Anne knew it. For a split second, Anne regretted having confided in her older sister.

You are not going to tell him are you? Anne asked anxiously.

I won’t tell a soul! Sharon replied. I will carry your secret to the grave. I know that I have done many hurtful things to you in the past. But all that stuff is in the past and it was all petty anyway. We are talking about something a lot more serious. You are my sister and you are about to get married. I would surely never do anything that would put my sister’s marriage in jeopardy.

Thank you Sharon, Anne said, as she hugged her sister briefly. Now should we stop talking about this secret of mine? Can you please help me get ready instead?

Sure. First, I better wipe your tears and reapply your makeup. It’s all messed up now. Sharon led Anne to the dressing table in the corner.

Sharon spent no more than ten minutes reapplying Anne’s makeup after which she helped her adjust her wedding dress. When they were done, Anne looked as pretty as ever. Sharon was quite jealous of her sister but she tried hard not to show it.

The door of the bedroom in which both sisters had spent the previous two hours opened. Anne was the first to emerge. Her wedding dress was a simple one. It had no train. Anne and her fiancé Wayne had decided to have a simple wedding with just a handful of friends and family invited.

Sharon emerged from the bedroom directly behind her sister. She was carrying her handbag as well as that of her sister. A small makeup case had been tucked into Sharon's handbag just in case Anne messed up her makeup again and it needed reapplying. Anne was a very sensitive person and was prone to crying. Her tears would surely flow a lot more than usual since it was her wedding day.

Mom... Dad... Where are you? Anne called after her parents.

In the living room waiting for you, her mom answered. Are you girls ready yet?

Sure mom. We are coming downstairs now, Anne replied.

Both women made their way down the stairs of the three-bedroom house in which they had grown up.

Sharon no longer lived at home. She rented an apartment of her own. She moved out of the house about five years earlier, just before she started studying for a Bachelor's degree at a local university. She then did a one-year Master’s degree and less than three months after she graduated she got a job in the same town.

Anne on the other hand moved out of the family home just over three years earlier when she won a place to study banking and finance at a university in another state. After graduating with honors, she moved back in with her parents while waiting to marry the man with whom she had fallen in love while she was at university.

Her handsome fiancé, Wayne, had suggested that they live together while waiting to get married but Anne refused. Living with a man before marriage was something that Anne's strict Catholic parents would have frowned at.

Although Wayne had quickly found a job in an investment bank and rented an apartment after moving to Anne's hometown, Anne insisted that she would only move in with him after their wedding. Wayne would soon get his wish for Anne's luggage was already packed and ready to be moved to Wayne's rented apartment by Anne's dad soon after the wedding.

Mr and Mrs Murphy were seated on a sofa in their living room. Mr Murphy glanced casually at his watch. It was nearly 2 pm. The church wedding was scheduled to start at 3 pm. The Murphy family had to start making their way to the Catholic Church in which the wedding was scheduled to take place or else they were going to be late.

You look radiant my daughter. Anne, you are so pretty, Mr Murphy (Anne and Sharon's dad) said as he stood up and went to meet his daughter as she got to the bottom of the stairs.

Oh thanks dad. Anne was so happy and very appreciative of her dad’s comment

Her dad placed his hands on either side of her head and planted a kiss on her forehead. Mr Murphy always did that when one or both of his daughters did (or in this case, was about to do) something which made him proud.

Mrs Murphy followed closely behind her husband. One look at her daughter in her wedding dress and tears started rolling down her cheeks.

It seems like it was only yesterday when I gave birth to you and brought you home weighing just under 8 pounds, Anne's mom started, as she held her daughter's hands. And now you are a grown woman, about to get married and start a family of your own. Only God knows how long I have been waiting for this day and it is finally here. I have been waiting for this day ever since you were born.

Thank you so much mom. You…"

You better not start getting all emotional and start crying again, Sharon interrupted. Because that would mean that I have to apply your makeup all over again.

As usual, Sharon was becoming increasingly jealous of all the attention that Anne was getting. The jealousy that Sharon felt for her little sister since they were kids was still very evident in adulthood.

Did any of you notice me at all? Sharon asked her parents. Isn’t anybody going to tell me that I look good?

You look great as well Sharon, her mom said.

Your mom is right, Mr Murphy added. You both look great!

Mr Murphy looked at his watch again. It was 2 pm.

I guess we had better start making our way to the church. But before we go, I want us to say a short prayer. Do you remember what I always told you girls about prayer when you were growing up? A family that prays together….

STAYS TOGETHER, Anne and Sharon said in unison.

Mr and Mrs Murphy were raised as Catholics, and they in turn raised their daughters as Catholics as well.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Mr Murphy said, as the four members of the Murphy family made the sign of the cross. Please let us hold hands, Mr Murphy said, holding out both of his hands.

With the Murphy family standing in a circle, holding each other’s hands, their heads bowed and their eyes closed, Mr Murphy said a short prayer.

Almighty Father in Heaven, we thank you for this day. Our daughter and sister Anne is on her way to get married. In the book of Genesis Chapter 2, Verse 24 you said that a man shall leave his father and his mother and join his wife and the two shall become one. Marriage is an institution ordained by you oh God. We pray that Anne’s marriage to Wayne should be a successful one. And may they bring forth many children who will serve you. We also pray that you keep us safe throughout this day. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

When the prayer was over, the family made their way to the two cars parked outside. Sharon helped Anne into the back seat of their father’s car. Their parents then sat in front, with their dad in the driver’s seat. Mr Murphy started the car and started driving to the Catholic Church where Anne was due to get married, while Sharon drove closely behind in her own car.

There was very little conversation in the family car. Everybody was obviously anxious. The little conversation that occurred between Anne and her parents centered on when she would get pregnant with her first baby.

I would love to hold my first grandchild in my arms before the Lord takes me home, Anne’s mom said.

She was very happy that her daughter was getting married but also quite sad that she was leaving home for good. Anne’s dad didn’t say very much during the drive to church. He was very happy for his daughter. In fact, he was incredibly proud of her.

As they drove to church, Mrs Murphy’s eyes swelled up with a fresh wave of tears. Before the tears could run down her cheeks, she quickly took out a piece of tissue from her handbag and wiped them away. She did not want Anne to see her crying. That could have led to Anne crying as well, which would mess up her makeup. She wanted her daughter looking beautiful and happy when she arrived at the church.

Anne’s dad finally pulled up in front of the church at about 2:35 pm. The wedding mass was due to start in 25 minutes. Anne could see her fiancé’s car parked outside the church when they arrived. As soon as Anne stepped out of the car, her sister Sharon pulled up in front of the church as well.

I think we are still on schedule, Sharon said, as she stepped out of her car. She closed the door of her car, walked up to her sister, held her hand as she led her into the church.

Anne couldn’t have been happier. She had attended the same church on a near weekly basis during the first 18 years of her life. Although she did not go to mass in that church during the previous 3 years because she was studying at a university in another state, she was baptized there, had her first holy communion there, had her confirmation done there, and now she was going to get married there as well.

Wayne was already seated on a chair in the front row that had been allocated to him and his bride. As soon as Anne walked into the church, Wayne turned around to look at his bride.

You are so beautiful, he mouthed to her and blew her a kiss. Anne smiled beneath her veil before blowing him a kiss as well.

Most of the few family and friends that had been invited to the wedding mass had already arrived at the church and they were seated inside, waiting for the mass to begin. Mr and Mrs Murphy quietly spoke to as many of them as they could, thanking them for honoring their invitation, before taking a seat which had been allocated to them in the front row.

Meanwhile, Sharon, as Anne’s one and only bridesmaid, had led Anne to a room at the back of the church, where final touches were made to her dress and makeup. When they emerged from the room, Sharon took her place in the front row with her mom while her dad moved to the back of the church to meet his daughter Anne.

The music band that had been hired started playing a wedding song and the mass began. Mr Murphy stood to Anne’s left side and held her hand. With her left hand in his right hand, both of them started walking slowly down the aisle, towards the altar where Wayne was waiting. At regular intervals, Wayne glanced backwards and smiled at Anne. She couldn’t stop smiling. It was the happiest day of her life.

When Anne and her dad reached the altar, the music stopped. I’ve never seen you this beautiful before. Are you happy? Wayne whispered to his beaming bride.

Sure I am Wayne, Anne replied, smiling. "I am going to be Mrs Anne Parker in a minute. I am the happiest woman in the world right now.

When it was time for Wayne and Anne to exchange vows, the priest spoke.

"We are gathered here today, to join together Mr Wayne Parker and Miss Anne Murphy in holy matrimony; which is an honorable and solemn estate and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently and soberly. Into this estate, these two persons present come now to be joined. If anyone can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

The priest paused for a moment and looked at the people gathered inside the church. After a few moments, he spoke again.

"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" The priest asked.

We do, Anne’s parents replied in unison.

Anne was then given away to Wayne by her father. Wayne took Anne’s right hand in his left hand and then together, they walked a few feet forward, towards the priest. Sharon moved towards the couple and presented them with wedding rings.

Anne took the bigger of the two rings that was meant for Wayne and held it just over his ring finger. Anne then said her wedding vows:

"I, Anne Murphy take thee, Wayne Parker

To be my lawfully wedded husband,

Secure in the knowledge that you will be

My constant friend,

My faithful partner in life,

And my one true love.

On this special and holy day,

I give to you

In the presence of God and all those in attendance

My sacred promise to stay by your side as your faithful wife

In sickness and in health,

In joy and in sorrow, as well as

Through the good times and the bad.

I promise to love you without reservation,

Comfort you in times of distress,

Encourage you to achieve all of your goals,

Laugh with you and cry with you,

Grow with you in mind and spirit,

Always be open and honest with you,

And cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

When Anne had finished saying her wedding vows, she pushed the ring down Wayne’s finger until it rested at its base. It was Wayne’s turn to say his wedding vows. After taking the wedding ring from Sharon, he took Anne’s left hand and held the ring just over her ring finger. He then said his wedding vows:

"I, Wayne Parker take thee, Anne Murphy

To be my lawfully wedded wife,

Knowing in my heart that you will be

My constant friend,

My faithful partner in life,

And my one true love.

On this special and holy day,

I give to you

In the presence of God and all those in attendance

My sacred promise to stay by your side as your faithful husband

In sickness and in health,

In joy and in sorrow, as well as

Through the good times and the bad.

I promise to love you without reservation,

Honor and respect you,

Provide for your needs as best I can,

Protect you from harm,

Comfort you in times of distress,

Grow with you in mind and spirit,

Always be open and honest with you,

And cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

After he had finished saying his wedding vows, Wayne put the ring on Anne’s finger.

After Wayne and Anne had said their wedding vows, the priest had a few words to say to everybody present in church that day. Turning to face the congregation, the priest said:

May this couple be prepared to continue to give, be able to forgive and experience more and more joy with each passing day, with each passing year. Wayne and Anne are now beginning their married life together. We hope that they may have loving assistance from their family, the constant support of friends, and a long life with good health and everlasting love. In so much as Wayne and Anne have consented to live forever together in wedlock, and have witnessed the same before this company, having given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and having declared same by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband and wife.

Then turning to face the newly married couple once more, the priest said:

You may now seal the promises you have made with each other with a kiss.

Wayne moved his head slowly towards Anne’s and planted a kiss on her lips. Anne eyes were closed as she felt the warmth of her new husband’s lips on hers. The congregation cheered and clapped as the newly married couple sealed their promise to love and cherish each other until death do them part.

After their first kiss as a married couple, the priest then said:

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the loving couple, Mr and Mrs Parker.

The congregation cheered again as music started playing and the priest invited the couple and their pre-selected witnesses to sign the marriage register. After the marriage register was signed by the witnesses, the couple had a short conversation with the priest, after which they went outside to take photographs.

Wayne had only invited a handful of friends. His parents had long passed away and he wasn’t in regular communication with the few distant relatives that he had.

A friend of Wayne drove him and his new wife back to the Murphy family home where there was going to be a small party. When they got to the house, Anne went upstairs with Sharon and with the help of her sister, Anne changed into another dress.

When Anne returned downstairs, everybody wanted talk to her. They congratulated her and wished her success in her marriage. Everyone was happy for the couple, particularly Anne’s parents.

I always wished that I had a son, Anne’s father confessed to Wayne. I told Anne’s mom a few days ago that I would have loved to have a son like you. God granted me my wish because today, you became the son that I never had. Welcome to the family son, Mr Murphy said, as he hugged Wayne.

There was lots of music, dancing, eating, and drinking. Neither Anne nor Wayne drank alcohol. Mr and Mrs Murphy didn’t drink alcohol either. As very strict Catholics, alcohol was forbidden in the Murphy household, except on special occasions, as was the case on that day.

The only member of the Murphy family that drank alcohol was Sharon. But she only started drinking alcohol after she started studying at university and rented an apartment of her own, which she paid for by flipping burgers at a fast food restaurant and cleaning the floors of a local hospital. Her parents would never have let her drink alcohol if she were still living under their roof.

The new Mr and Mrs Parker were soon very tired. They had woken up at about 4 am that morning to prepare for the events of that day and they were understandably very tired. As the party drew on, all that they wanted to do was go home.

Wayne was desperate to take his wife home. Anne had made it clear to him that she would only live with him after he got married to her. That was now taken care of and he was very eager to take his wife home. As a newly married man, he couldn’t wait to spend the first night with his wife.

Can I now take you home Mrs Parker? Wayne asked his wife.

Anne laughed and then she kissed her husband. Calling her Mrs Parker sounded a bit strange. However, it was something that she was incredibly proud of.

Sure. You can take me home … my husband. Anne giggled.

Ok. Let us says our goodbyes and then I’ll drive you home, Wayne said.

Mr and Mrs Parker stood up. Wayne Parker told the DJ to turn down the music. He then thanked everybody for coming to the wedding and then to the party. He then said that he was very tired and he had to leave.

After talking to everyone in attendance, Anne and Wayne spoke privately to Anne’s mother and sister.

Good night, Anne’s dad told the couple. I will bring Anne’s luggage to your apartment first thing tomorrow morning. Well maybe I shouldn’t come too early. I suppose that you’ll want to have a lie in after such a long day. I’ll be there by midday.

What time are you flying out for your honeymoon? Anne’s mother asked.

Well, the plane takes off at 6 pm and we are planning to leave home by 3 pm so that we have enough time to check in our luggage before the flight, Anne replied.

As Anne and Wayne left the Murphy family home, they were escorted to their car by Anne’s family. Several hugs and kisses later, Anne got into the car with her husband and he drove off, en route to the apartment that he had rented as soon as he moved to Anne’s hometown and picked up a job in an investment bank.

What a nice day today was, Anne said, as Wayne drove them home. She leaned to her left and placed her head on her husband’s shoulder as he drove. She couldn’t wait to start married life with him.

As a young Catholic girl, she had always dreamed of getting married to a nice Catholic man in the Catholic Church. That dream had just come true and she was very happy.

If we have a son what are we going to call him? Wayne asked his wife.

That is easy, Anne replied almost immediately. If we have a son, we are going to call him Wayne junior.

That sounds nice, Wayne said.

And if we have a daughter, we will call her Helen after your late mother and grandmother, Anne added.

I’m so happy that you remember that, Wayne said.

Less than 20 minutes later, Wayne pulled up in front of the block of apartments in which he had lived alone during the previous 3 months. They got out of the car and walked arm in arm towards the entrance of the apartment block.

Wayne pressed the elevator button and they waited less than a minute for it to arrive. When they got into the elevator, Wayne pressed the button that would take them to the third floor. And then without saying a word to his wife, he placed his hands on either side of her waist and pulled her body closer to his.

Their lips met and they started kissing each other passionately. The lift stopped on the second floor and an elderly lady stepped in. Oblivious to her presence, Wayne and Anne kept kissing each other.

"Wouldn't it be a good idea to