Chapter 28 - SARAH
I stared at the photograph until my eyes hurt.
Sarah was alive.
There was no question.
The photograph wasn't old.
She looked older than I remembered, but it was unmistakably her.
And Leah was standing beside her.
At perhaps four years old.
That meant one thing.
Someone had lied about Leah's mother for years.
I called Daniel.
No answer.
I called again.
Nothing.
Then Elena grabbed my arm.
"Don't."
"What?"
"Don't call him."
"Why?"
"Because if Sarah is alive, Daniel already knows."
"And?"
"And he didn't tell us."
I looked at her.
"You knew."
She shook her head.
"I knew Sarah survived."
My voice rose.
"How long?"
"Years."
I stepped toward her.
"How long?"
"Seven years."
I couldn't believe it.
"You knew Leah's mother was alive for seven years?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because Sarah asked me not to."
"Why?"
"Because she believed you were safer not knowing."
I laughed bitterly.
"Everyone keeps saying they're protecting me."
I looked around the room.
"But nobody asks what I want."
Leah stood quietly nearby.
I saw the fear in her face.
I immediately lowered my voice.
"This isn't your fault."
She nodded.
Then she asked:
"Can I see Mommy?"
I didn't know what to say.
Before I could answer, a car horn sounded outside.
Three short bursts.
Elena went rigid.
"That's Daniel."
I ran to the window.
A black SUV was parked outside.
Daniel stepped out.
But he wasn't alone.
A woman got out from the passenger side.
She was wearing a dark coat.
Her hair was pulled back.
She looked directly at our house.
Leah gasped.
"Mommy."
My entire body froze.
Sarah walked toward the front door.
Daniel remained behind her.
Sarah stopped on the porch.
She looked at me through the glass.
Her eyes filled with tears.
I opened the door.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she whispered:
"She's beautiful."
I stepped aside.
"Come in."
She entered.
Leah stood at the end of the hallway.
Sarah dropped to her knees.
"Leah."
Leah didn't move.
Sarah began crying.
"I've waited so long."
Leah looked at me.
I nodded.
She slowly walked forward.
Sarah opened her arms.
Leah stepped into them.
Mother and daughter held each other.
And I realized something painful.
For the first time in her life, Leah had the chance to know the woman who had given birth to her.
But I also knew this reunion couldn't be simple.
Because Sarah looked terrified.
Not relieved.
Terrified.
After several minutes, she released Leah.
Then she looked at me.
"Graham, we need to talk."
"About Arthur?"
"About everything."
She glanced toward the windows.
"Because he wasn't the only person involved."
"Who else?"
Sarah swallowed.
"The people who wanted me dead."
"Who?"
She looked at Daniel.
He closed his eyes.
Then Sarah said:
"Your mother."
I froze.
"What?"
"Your mother knew I was alive."
I shook my head.
"No."
Sarah's eyes filled with tears.
"She was the one who helped me disappear."
I stared at her.
"Then why would she hide you?"
Sarah looked at Leah.
"Because your mother was trying to save her."
"And from whom?"
Sarah whispered:
"From Arthur."
I felt the pieces begin to connect.
Then Sarah added:
"Arthur wasn't the mastermind."
Silence.
"Who was?"
Sarah looked directly at me.
"The person who created the entire system."
I waited.
May you like
She finally said:
"Your grandmother."
