Chapter 7
Chapter 7: The Shadow Returns
Winter arrived, bringing an unwelcome ghost.
An envelope appeared in our mailbox.
No return address.
Just elegant, familiar handwriting.
My blood ran cold.
It was him.
The man who had tried to steal the trust.
The man who had traumatized her so deeply that we had to cut her ruined hair.
He had been released on parole.
The letter was brief.
Claire,
I have nothing left. You have everything. I am still your family.
Meet me.
I wanted to tear it up.
I wanted to hide it.
But I had promised never to lie to her.
I handed her the letter.
She read it once.
Her face gave away nothing.
May you like
"Are you going to ignore it?" I asked.
"No," she said. "I am going to end it."
