Chapter Four: The Reveal

Six weeks had passed since Joshua and Mimi's affair. Over those six weeks, Mimi could no longer bear the guilt and moved out. She wanted to tell her best friend, but she did not want to break her heart. Joshua also wanted to tell his fiance but feared he'd lose her, so he kept the secret. Miranda was more confused than ever. Joshua was always quiet around the house. And the person she thought was like a sister to her had up and left with no notice whatsoever. Of course Miranda assumed she was the blame for all of this. If she hadn't been so distracted with tours, interviews and concerts she'd be at home more and could give Joshua the time and love he deserved. If she had been there for her friend, then she probably wouldn't have moved out. She attempted to find out what was wrong with Joshua but he insisted it was stress from work, she wanted to press the topic but decided not to.

Currently..
Joshua had vowed he would not tell Miranda about his brief moment of weakness. He thought a little weight was lifted off his shoulders when Mimi move away, but he still felt on edge. They hadn't spoken since their night of passion and had no idea where her head was. He feared she'd come back and tell Miranda everything. Every day he breathed a sigh of relief when she didn't show up. He also thought Miranda had gotten suspicious when she always asked what was wrong, he had to get better at hiding his emotions. He needed to talk to someone so he call his friend, Matt, and invited him over. The door bell had rung and Joshua let Matt in. Matt sat down and Joshua joined him.

Matt: "Dude you look like you're bugging out. Is that why you called?" He asked. Was it that obvious? Joshua thought.
Joshua: "I screwed up Matt. Bad." He answered. Joshua gave him a run-down of what happened weeks ago.

Matt: "You're joking right?" Matt asked once he was done.
Joshua: "I wish I were." He replied. Matt nodded.
Matt: "You really cheated on Miranda with that? I mean she's alright but Miranda is hot." Matt said. Joshua gave him a warning look. He knew he messed up but that didn't mean he could make comments about his fiance freely. Matt mumbled an apology.
Matt: "So are you going to tell her?" He inquired.
Joshua: "No. I love her and I just can't break her heart. I already did enough damage." He answered.
Matt: "This is going to blow up in your face if you don't tell her. Do it before Mimi does." He warned. Joshua agreed with him, but he still had no plans to tell her. As far as he was concerned, he was taking this secret to his grave. He just prayed Mimi and Matt would as well.

Later that day..
Joshua had left for work and Miranda came home to an empty house. She was just about to call Mimi for the 1000th time, when she heard her phone vibrate. She hoped it was her, but her heart dropped when she it wasn't her. It was the man who offered her his services a couple weeks back. He had already told her he had found some information about her mother. Where she had grew up, her hometown,etc. But not real facts, no useful ones anyways.

 Miranda: "Hello?" She answered.
Stranger: "Hello Miranda. I think you're going to like what I have to say today." He said. Her heart seem to lift back up at the sound of that.
Miranda: "Really?" She said, her voice filled with hope.
Stranger: "Yes." He nodded to himself. "I found information on your father this time, his name is Timothy Griffin." He started.
Miranda: "No that can't be right, my father's name was Alex. My mom at least told me that." She said shaking her head.
Stranger: "I thought you would say that. I remembered you telling me that so I looked him up too. Alex Carter is currently serving 40 years in prison." He said.
Miranda: "What?!" You're telling me my dad is in prison?" She yelled.
Stranger: "No. Alex is, Timothy currently resides in Riverview with his wife, Skylar Griffin, and his son, ." He replied.
Miranda: "My mother wouldn't lie to me." She insisted. "Alex is my father."
Stranger: "Miranda I find people for a living. I thought you agreed to trust me." He said. She remained silent and he continued. "Alex is serving time for attempted murder if you wanted to know. I also found out another interesting fact." He said.
Miranda: "Which is?" She asked.
Stranger: "Well I looked up Skylar, she has a restraining order against Alex. She is also his ex-wife." He said.
Miranda: "This sounds like a crock of shit Sir, really that doesn't make any sense." Miranda said, irritated. Did this guy think she was a fool?
Stranger: "Oh no it makes perfect sense Hon. Skylar is the reason he's behind bars. He made an attempt to take her life. I don't know all the details of how it played out. That is where you came in. I found Timothy and Skylar's address, if you want more answers you're going to have to get them yourself." He explained. Miranda's head began spinning. Where did her mom fit in all of this? He hadn't mentioned her once and why did this sound like an awful soap opera?

Miranda: "Wait, why didn't you mention my mom?" She asked.
Stranger: "Ah I forgot that detail. You see Miranda, she wasn't your mom. She only raised you." He replied, "I'm also afraid I must go. I'll fax you the hard copies of everything I found along with the address. Good luck." He said and hung up. Miranda stared ahead and listened to the phone call drop. She was speechless. Seconds later she let the phone fall and all she could think of was she just found out she was adopted.

*Sorry for the lack of pictures, thanks for reading!