Chapter 9 - THE SISTER WHO CAME HOME
Lily Gallagher returned to the estate on a rainy Saturday.
She was thirty-two.
She wore a simple blue coat and carried a canvas bag filled with books.
Her dark curls were pulled into a loose braid.
Sadi met her at the door.
For a moment, the two women studied each other.
Then Lily smiled nervously.
“You're Sadi.”
“Yes.”
“You sound exactly like I imagined.”
Sadi laughed softly.
“That's probably unfortunate.”
Lily smiled.
Then looked toward the hallway.
“Is he here?”
Sadi nodded.
“In the library.”
Lily took a breath.
“Okay.”
***
Desmond waited beside the fireplace.
When Lily entered, he turned his wheelchair.
Then froze.
For twenty years, he'd imagined this moment.
He'd pictured running toward her.
Lifting her into his arms.
Apologizing.
Promising never to let her go again.
Instead, he sat motionless.
His hands trembled on the armrests.
Lily stared.
“Dez?”
The childhood nickname broke something inside him.
His face crumpled.
“Lily.”
She crossed the room.
Then stopped a few feet away.
Neither knew what to do.
Finally, Lily asked:
“Can I hug you?”
Desmond nodded.
She bent down and wrapped her arms around him.
He held her tightly.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Desmond whispered:
“I'm sorry.”
Lily shook her head.
“No.”
“I should have protected you.”
“You were eighteen.”
“I left you alone.”
“Dad sent you away.”
Desmond froze.
Lily stepped back.
“He told you I was missing.”
Desmond stared.
She continued.
“He told me you didn't want me.”
His face drained.
“No.”
“He said you and Caleb agreed I should leave.”
Desmond shook his head.
“Never.”
Lily began crying.
“I waited for you.”
He closed his eyes.
“I looked everywhere.”
“I know that now.”
She touched his face.
“I'm here.”
Desmond held her hand.
For the first time in twenty years, the Gallagher family had something resembling a beginning.
***
Later, Lily told them what she remembered.
Their father had discovered that she overheard a conversation about illegal payments.
He feared she might repeat it.
So he arranged for her to be placed in a private institution under a false identity.
Dr. Vale handled the paperwork.
Lily had been told her brothers didn't want her.
For years, she believed it.
Eventually, she built a life of her own.
She became a librarian.
Made friends.
Found people who cared about her.
But the lie remained.
“I didn't contact you,” she told Desmond, “because I thought you'd reject me.”
Desmond looked devastated.
“I never would have.”
Lily nodded.
“I know.”
***
That evening, Sadi found Desmond alone.
He looked exhausted.
But different.
Lighter.
“She came back,” he whispered.
Sadi smiled.
“She did.”
He looked at her.
“I don't know how to thank you.”
“You don't have to.”
“Yes, I do.”
She shook her head.
“Desmond, I didn't find her. The investigation did. Lily made the choice to come here.”
He smiled.
“You always refuse to take credit.”
“Only when it isn't mine.”
He reached for her hand.
Then stopped.
“May I?”
Sadi looked at him.
Her heart beat faster.
“Yes.”
He took her hand.
His fingers were warm.
For a moment, neither moved.
Then he whispered:
“You've changed my life.”
Sadi swallowed.
“You've changed mine too.”
Their eyes met.
The room became very quiet.
Then Frankie knocked.
“Boss.”
Desmond released her hand.
“What?”
Frankie's expression was grim.
“Caleb's been arrested.”
Sadi stood.
“For what?”
May you like
Frankie looked at Desmond.
“Conspiracy connected to the transport bombing.”
