Chapter 8 - THE WOMAN WHO SENT THE MESSAGE
Three weeks later, investigators found a lead.
A message had been sent from an encrypted account linked to Evelyn.
It contained only a photograph.
A lighthouse.
A gray sky.
And a handwritten note.
I'M STILL HERE.
Silas stared at the image.
His hands trembled.
The investigators traced the message through available records.
It appeared to have originated from a coastal town in northern France.
Silas wanted to leave immediately.
Khloe stopped him.
“Wait.”
He stared.
“She's alive.”
“Maybe,” Khloe said carefully. “But you need to know whether it's safe.”
Silas looked away.
She continued.
“Leo needs you.”
He swallowed.
“I know.”
The investigators coordinated with local authorities.
They searched for Evelyn.
And four days later, they found her.
Alive.
She had been living under an assumed name.
Working in a small bookshop.
Avoiding people connected to Victor.
When the investigator called, Silas could barely speak.
“Is she okay?”
A pause.
“She's frightened. But she's safe.”
Silas closed his eyes.
He asked:
“Does she know about Leo?”
“Yes.”
His voice broke.
“Does she want to come home?”
The investigator paused.
Then said:
“She wants to speak with you first.”
Silas nodded.
“Of course.”
That evening, he sat in front of a secure video connection.
Khloe helped Leo prepare.
The screen flickered.
Then a woman appeared.
Dark hair.
Tired eyes.
A familiar smile.
Evelyn.
Silas stopped breathing.
Leo stared.
Then his hands flew upward.
MOM!
Evelyn began crying.
She signed rapidly.
MY BABY. I LOVE YOU.
Leo sobbed.
Not from fear.
From relief.
Silas watched his wife and son speak in a language he was still learning.
And he realized how much he'd missed.
Then Evelyn looked directly at him.
Her expression changed.
“Silas.”
His voice broke.
“Evelyn.”
She swallowed.
“I'm sorry.”
He shook his head.
“No.”
He looked toward Leo.
Then back at her.
“You tried to protect him.”
Evelyn nodded.
Silas took a breath.
“Come home.”
She looked away.
Then whispered:
“I want to.”
He closed his eyes.
“But Silas,” she continued, “there's something you need to know before I do.”
He looked up.
“What?”
May you like
Evelyn swallowed.
“Victor wasn't working alone.”
