Chapter 3 - EVELYN CARTER
The woman was Evelyn Carter.
Daniel’s mother.
Sixty-two.
Elegant.
Controlled.
Usually impossible to read.
She had not seen Rachel in almost two years.
At least that was what Rachel believed.
But Emma knew her.
“Nana.”
Evelyn reached out carefully.
“Come here, sweetheart.”
Emma stepped closer.
Evelyn lifted her into the SUV.
Not to take her.
To keep her from the moving traffic lane.
Her driver immediately called 911.
Then Evelyn called Daniel.
No answer.
Rachel was already screaming Emma’s name across the plaza.
A security officer shouted:
“Child located!”
Rachel ran.
Then stopped when she saw the black SUV.
Evelyn stepping out.
Emma in her arms.
Rachel’s relief hit first.
She grabbed Emma.
Held her.
Cried.
Then the second emotion arrived.
“What are you doing here?”
Evelyn answered:
“Watching my son.”
Rachel stared.
“What?”
Then Emma reached toward Evelyn.
“Nana bunny.”
Rachel went still.
“What bunny?”
Evelyn looked at Daniel.
Daniel had finally arrived.
He looked terrified for an entirely different reason.
Rachel turned.
“Why does she know your mother?”
Daniel said nothing.
Evelyn answered for him.
“Because he has brought Emma to see me six times.”
Rachel’s face changed.
“Six?”
Daniel stepped forward.
“Rachel—”
“No.”
Evelyn continued:
“He told me you knew.”
Rachel laughed.
Then looked at him.
“You told me you weren’t speaking to her.”
Daniel said:
“It was complicated.”
Again.
Rachel almost slapped him.
Instead she held Emma tighter.
Then Evelyn said:
“And he told me you were planning to leave him and take Emma out of state.”
Rachel stared.
May you like
Daniel looked away.
That lie was bigger than the affair.
