Chapter 3 - THE SECOND RING
There was nothing hidden inside Isabella's engagement ring.
Not physically.
The inscription was the clue.
C.M.
11/14.
November 14.
My birthday.
But I had never told Vincent my birthday before he hired me.
Someone else had.
We searched old personnel records.
My application had been flagged before it ever reached Vincent.
A handwritten note:
Interview her personally. — I.M.
Isabella Marlowe.
Impossible.
She had been dead eighteen years when I applied.
Unless someone had placed the instruction years earlier.
Gabriel found the answer.
Isabella had left a sealed packet with the Marlowe family attorney.
Instructions:
If Margaret Morgan's daughter ever applied for employment within any Marlowe company, the packet went to Vincent's office.
It had.
But Vincent never saw it.
Someone intercepted it.
“Who?”
Gabriel looked uncomfortable.
“Evan.”
My heart stopped.
Vincent stared.
“My son?”
Three years earlier, Evan worked briefly in legal operations.
He had opened Isabella's packet.
He knew who I was before we ever dated.
Vincent called him.
No answer.
We went to his apartment.
Empty.
On the kitchen table sat another ring.
Plain gold.
Isabella's wedding band.
Beside it was a note.
Dad, I'm sorry. I thought I was protecting you.
Vincent sat down.
For the first time since I'd known him, he looked old.
I touched his shoulder.
He covered my hand with his.
Then immediately removed his own.
“Not now.”
I understood.
Whatever existed between us had to wait.
May you like
His son was missing.
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