Since she didn't think she had heard her clearly, Donna asked Sims, her lawyer,to repeat her last words. She replied, "I am your Mother, Donna."
Donna reached to hold onto the piano bench, nearly missing.
She then asked Donna to try to relax and to sit down.
Sims began,"I will try to give you some of your answers. I can finally tell you what I have protected for so long. I realize this is difficult for you, but it is difficult for both of us." At Donna's uncomfortable grimace, she added,"Let me talk to you first, then you have every right to ask about anything you need more thoroughly explained.Please..give me this time."

"When I was nineteen, and going to school in Paris, your grandfather unexpectedly died. Since your grandmother had always preferred Canada, they had eventually divorced. I loved them both, but chose to live in Paris.
I was studying law at Faculte' Libre DeDroit in Paris and Father had always taken care of things. When he died, I was completely lost. I had no clue what to do, say, or feel. Father had had an appointment to get a will written up, but had scheduled it for two days after his death, as it turned out. My father was dead,and he had left no will. I was in France; alone.

It was difficult, but I called your grandmother in Quebec City. Donna, you are sitting next to your grandmother."

The slight but strong arms encased her before she could consider refusal. Mrs. Webster held on tight to her granddaughter's hand, as they both tried to reclaim either dignity or reason. This took awhile.

Sims continued," In Paris, their courts recognized the single heir; thus circumventing anything like probate. I went back to finish my degree while keeping grandfather's apartment."

"This is when I met Garner. He was intelligent, funny, rich, and he turned my head around and back. (It didn't hurt that he looked somewhat like George Clooney.) You obviously have his genes, Donna. He was your father"...she whispered.

He was a French Duke and his surname: Archambeau, was of royalty. Ferdinand-Philippe, Crown Prince of France was his great great grandfather. Greenwood was one of their estates. Garner loved it here in Canada. We spent wonderful days here...and although we never married, he promised to provide for you.

This is where the real pain begins. I found out Garner was married with two sons.I had no idea until it was time for him to sign your birth certificate. Suddenly, he needed proof he was your father. When the tests proved he was, Garner signed the papers, gave me a million dollars, and kissed us both good-bye. I never saw him again.

The next part of my life is, indeed, a blur; a nightmare that never has ended. I had an accident in my car one icy night. You were not with me, thank God.Two other people were involved and they lost their lives. I had lost control on an icy hill and slid into their car. The court blamed me because I had lost control in the icy conditions. It took the Magistrate five minutes to take every penny we had. We were left having to sell grandfather's apartment, and taking a welfare flat. There was a possibility of time in prison for me. I could not find Garner. He had disappeared. It was intentional because I know his wife had found out about us. Our first Christmas, I received a card with a picture of two little boys. A woman's signature had added names to the backs; Remi and Marin. I'll give you the picture of your half-brothers, Donna. She was kind enough to think you might want it someday."

"A year later, another card came from her with Garner's death certificate and obituary. She wrote six words: "I'm sorry...cancer- he went fast."

Author Notes

This chapter answers some questions generated in the prologue, but also leaves a lot to be answered.