“When I was fifteen. I found Adrian’s photograph online after he visited. Bianca caught me and broke the laptop.”
Anna spoke without drama.
As though broken computers, hidden names, and locked doors had been ordinary parts of childhood.
“She told me he was dangerous,” Anna continued. “She said if I contacted him, he would take me away.”
“Was she afraid of him?”
“Yes.”
“Did she love him?”
Anna looked across the ballroom.
“I think she loved what he promised her.”
The same answer I had given Bianca only minutes earlier.
Anna reached inside her dress pocket and removed a folded letter.
“Adrian wrote this when I was ten.”
She handed it to me.
The paper was worn from being opened many times.
Bianca,
The girl must never learn Evelyn is alive. Continue using the Reed identity. Nathan will handle medical and school records. When she reaches legal age, I will arrange the trust documents.
Do not contact me except through the private number.
If Ruth begins talking about returning the child, remind her what happened to the nurse.
A.
I read it twice.
“Who was Ruth?”
“Bianca’s mother.”
“What happened to her?”
“She died when I was twelve. They said she fell asleep while driving.”