Chapter 2: The Woman from the Past
Chapter 2: The Woman from the Past
Weeks later, a letter arrived without a return address.
Inside was an old photograph.
It showed Ethan as a toddler laughing in a sunny garden.
Standing beside him was an elderly woman Alexander immediately recognized.
Margaret Lawson.
The Reed family's former housekeeper.
She had disappeared shortly after Clara took control of the household.
Alexander tracked her down to a small coastal town.
Margaret was older now, walking with a cane.
The moment she saw Ethan, tears streamed down her face.
"My little sunshine..."
Ethan hesitated.
Then quietly hugged her.
Margaret confessed everything.
"I tried to stop Clara."
"I fed Ethan whenever I could."
"But she caught me."
Clara had threatened to accuse Margaret of theft and have her arrested unless she resigned immediately.
Margaret had left believing Alexander knew everything.
"I thought you chose Clara over your son."
Alexander lowered his head.
"I didn't know."
"No," Margaret answered softly.
"You didn't see."
May you like
Those words haunted him more than any accusation.
Because they were true.
