Chapter 8
Evan did not cry.
But something in him collapsed quietly.
The little girl’s hand was warm, small, impossibly trusting for a child who did not know him.
Rachel watched his face change and had to look away before her anger drowned in grief.
He whispered, “What’s her name?”
Rachel hesitated.
Then answered.
“Lily.”
Evan looked at the center baby.
“And…”
“Noah.”
His eyes moved to the third.
“Grace.”
He repeated the names silently.
Lily.
Noah.
Grace.
Not claiming.
Not confirming.
Learning.
That hurt more.
Noelle’s voice came from behind him, brittle.
“This is insane.”
Evan did not release Lily’s hand.
Rachel said, “Noelle, please leave.”
Noelle laughed sharply.
“You don’t get to dismiss me.”
Rachel looked at her.
“No. But you look like someone who wants time to warn people. And I’m done giving your side time.”
Noelle’s expression hardened.
“Your side?”
Rachel’s eyes moved to the envelope.
“The side that knew about the letter before Evan did.”
Noelle’s lips parted.
No answer came.
Evan slowly stood, Lily’s fingers slipping from his as gently as he could manage.
He turned to Noelle.
“Go back to the hotel.”
Her face twisted.
“Without you?”
“Yes.”
“The rehearsal dinner is tonight.”
“Cancel it.”
The words struck the sidewalk like a dropped glass.
Rachel stared at him.
Noelle looked as if he had slapped her.
“You don’t mean that.”
Evan’s voice was quiet.
“I don’t know what I mean yet. That’s the problem.”
Noelle’s eyes filled with angry tears.
“You are going to throw away our wedding over a woman who vanished?”
Rachel flinched.
Evan’s jaw tightened.
“She says she was told to vanish.”
“She could be lying.”
“She could be,” he said.
Rachel’s heart clenched.
Then he continued.
“But you are afraid of an unopened envelope.”
Noelle went silent.
That sentence had no answer.
Evan turned back to Rachel.
“I won’t ask you to come with me.”
“Good.”
“But I’m not leaving this sidewalk without a way to contact you that goes directly to you.”
Rachel almost refused automatically.
Then Lily made a soft sound and reached toward him again.
Rachel closed her eyes.
May you like
Everything was changing too fast.
Read Chapter 9 👉 Because Evan canceled the rehearsal before he knew the truth, and that told Rachel he feared the lie more than the scandal.
