ans family had grown into

d a daughter-Shawn,

nd a daughter-Derek, Jaycob, and Elaine-wit

s, Roger had two daughters and a

us family, brimming with

under their roof, Allison barely kn

ting her with cold disdain, frequently

e line of indifference, offering Allison s

eveloped a quiet fondnes

me," she said to Elaine

wisted with anger, and yanked her roughly by the wrist. "Sto

t with frustration, tears brimming in her eyes as

hered near Jane's bedside. No one spared a secon

ight behind her eyes building into a dull, steady throb. Then,

nding, Allison caught the low murmur of tw

t Jane back," one whispered. "Is she so

. "A doctor? Hardly. She's just some

the whole story? T

bloodied girl. She hid out in the villa for months before anyone even saw her again. And that was Allison. If she had a real family supporting her, why would she never

irst maid muttered. "She's probably scar

e Evans family. What makes a nobody lik

, does that mean y

them. Both maids went rigid on the spot, the c

case, her fingers loosening the tie in her hair. Dark wav

y it, Mrs. Evans," one mai

all. We're really sorry, Mrs. E

, they started inching away. But Allison's voi

y you cou

ing else you ne

d around, their heads

Allison, but she was still Derek's wife-and

against her chin, her sharp gaze

s to the truth. Even within the Evans family, onl

he truth had either been silenced with mon

m, Allison asked, "Where exa

plied honestly, "Mrs. Evans, don't you remember? I was t

y, some trace of familiarity stirred. During those months, the se

ed. "Tell me, how many peop

aid blurted, "No one! I swear-I onl

ake, I hope that's true. Because if I catch another whispe

d's knees nearly buckle. "Yes, Mrs.

ads, the two maids scurried away

en door and stepped into the cool, quiet gre

Didn't think you knew anything about medicin

ay, his tailored suit molding perfectly to his broad shoulders a

lot about me you never bothered to ask, Derek. Did