Chapter 5 - A SAFE HOUSE BY THE OCEAN
Evelyn arrived in Lisbon with Lily shortly after sunset.
Her older sister, Rebecca, was waiting at the airport.
The moment Evelyn saw her, she began crying.
Rebecca wrapped her arms around both of them.
“Oh, sweetheart.”
Evelyn couldn't speak.
Lily looked up.
“Auntie Becca?”
Rebecca smiled through tears.
“Hello, little star.”
She kissed Lily's forehead.
Then looked at Evelyn's bruised cheek.
Her expression changed.
“Did he do that?”
Evelyn nodded.
Rebecca closed her eyes.
Then whispered, “You're safe now.”
They drove to a small house overlooking the Atlantic.
White walls.
Blue shutters.
A garden filled with lemon trees.
Lily ran toward the window.
“Mommy! Water!”
Evelyn smiled.
“Yes, baby.”
“Big water!”
Rebecca laughed.
“Very big water.”
That evening, after Lily fell asleep, Evelyn sat on the terrace.
Rebecca brought her tea.
“Do you regret leaving?”
Evelyn looked toward the ocean.
“No.”
She swallowed.
“I regret staying as long as I did.”
Rebecca took her hand.
Evelyn looked down.
“I wanted Lily to have a family.”
Rebecca squeezed her fingers.
“She does.”
Evelyn looked up.
May you like
Rebecca smiled.
“She has you.”
