Chapter 33 - Grave secret

Lucille looked at her daughter Trixie with a worried expression. "Trixie, I don't think you should be reading that letter," she said anxiously.
Trixie's friends, Pia, Sheryl, and Eliza, exchanged glances. "But Trixie, whoever sent that letter must be scandalous and lying," Pia said.
Sheryl chimed in, "Yeah, Trixie, you shouldn't be keeping secrets from us. We're your best friends!"
Eliza nodded in agreement. "That's right. What could this letter be about? Tell us, Trixie!"
Trixie looked down, unsure of how to respond. Lucille also avoided eye contact, her brow furrowed with concern.
Pia frowned and said, "Come on, Trixie, what are you and your mother hiding from us?"
Trixie quickly shook her head. "No, no, it's nothing. I promise."
The three friends exchanged another knowing look. "Trixie, you can tell us. We're here for you," Sheryl said, placing a hand on Trixie's shoulder.
Lucille cleared her throat. "Girls, I think it's best if you all leave now. Trixie and I need to have a private talk."
Pia, Sheryl, and Eliza looked surprised, but they nodded and headed for the door. "Okay, Aunt Lucille. But Trixie, we'll be waiting to hear from you. Don't forget, we're your friends," Pia said before they left.
Once the girls were gone, Lucille turned to Trixie. "Trixie, I thought we had agreed to keep this a secret."
Trixie sighed deeply. "I know, Mother, but I couldn't help it. Pia, Sheryl, and Eliza saw the letter and started asking questions. I didn't know what to say."
Lucille placed a hand on Trixie's arm. "Trixie, you know how important it is that we keep this quiet. If anyone finds out, it could ruin our family's reputation."
Trixie nodded, her eyes downcast. "I know, Mother. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put us in this position."
Lucille shook her head. "It's not your fault, my dear. We've been carrying this burden for too long. But we have to be careful. This secret could destroy everything we've worked for."
Trixie looked up at her mother, her eyes filled with worry. "What are we going to do, Mother? I don't want to lie to my friends, but I don't want to risk our family's future either."
Lucille sighed heavily. "I'm not sure, Trixie. We'll have to think carefully about our next steps. For now, let's focus on keeping this secret under wraps. We can't afford any more slips."
Trixie nodded, her shoulders slumped with the weight of the burden they carried. "Okay, Mother. I'll be more careful from now on."
Lucille pulled Trixie into a tight hug. "I know it's not easy, my dear. But we have to be strong. We'll get through this, I promise."
Trixie returned the hug, finding comfort in her mother's embrace. They stood there for a moment, both lost in their thoughts, the weight of their secret hanging heavy in the air.
As they pulled apart, Lucille said, "Come on, Trixie. Let's go upstairs and talk more about this. We need to figure out our next move."
Trixie nodded and followed her mother, her mind racing with the implications of the letter and the secret they were trying to keep.
Lucille paced back and forth in the room, her brow furrowed in worry. "Trixie, I really have no idea who the hell could possibly know that your father is not really Delta Marlon," she said, her voice laced with concern.
Trixie looked at her mother, her eyes filled with apprehension. "What if someone does know that secret, Mother? What if they try to use it against us?"
Lucille shook her head firmly. "No, Trixie, it can't be. I've never told anyone about that secret, not a soul. It's just you and me who know the truth."
Trixie frowned, her mind racing with the implications of this revelation. "But Mother, how can we be sure? What if someone found out somehow? I can't bear the thought of our family being torn apart because of this."
Lucille stopped pacing and placed her hands on Trixie's shoulders, looking into her daughter's eyes. "Trixie, listen to me. We've kept this secret for so long, and no one has ever suspected a thing. Delta Marlon has no idea he's not your real father. As far as he's concerned, you're his daughter, and that's the way it's going to stay."
Trixie bit her lip, her mind still racing. "But what if someone sends another letter, like the one we received? What if they try to blackmail us or expose the truth?"
Lucille's expression hardened. "Then we'll deal with it, Trixie. We've come this far, and we're not going to let anyone ruin everything we've built. This family is everything to me, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect it."
Trixie nodded, feeling a sense of relief mixed with a touch of fear. "I know, Mother. I trust you, and I know you'll do whatever it takes to keep our family safe. But I can't help but worry. What if something goes wrong?"
Lucille pulled Trixie into a tight hug, stroking her daughter's hair. "Nothing is going to go wrong, Trixie. We've been so careful, and we're going to stay that way. As long as we stick together and keep this secret between us, no one will ever find out the truth."
Trixie hugged her mother back, finding comfort in her embrace. "I hope you're right, Mother. I don't know what I'd do if our family was torn apart because of this."
Lucille pulled back and looked at Trixie, her expression softening. "Trixie, I promise you that I will do everything in my power to protect our family. We've worked too hard to build this life, and I'm not going to let anyone take that away from us."
Trixie nodded, her eyes still filled with concern. "Okay, Mother. I trust you. But please, let's be extra careful from now on. I don't want to risk our family's future."
Lucille smiled and squeezed Trixie's hand. "Of course, my dear. We'll be extra vigilant, and we'll make sure that no one ever finds out the truth about your father. I promise you, Trixie, our family will remain intact, no matter what."