Three dots appeared almost immediately.
Then vanished.
Appeared again.
His mother finally replied.
Why would you ask about her?
Ethan froze.
Not “Who?”
Not “I haven’t heard that name in years.”
Why would you ask about her?
He typed more carefully.
She came into my hospital tonight.
This time the response came instantly.
Do not speak to her.
Ethan stood.
His pulse accelerated.
Why?
No response.
He called.
His mother declined the call.
He called again.
Declined.
Then another message appeared.
Because that woman nearly destroyed this family once. Do not allow her to do it again.
Ethan stared at the screen.
Something old and ugly began opening inside his memory.
Five years ago, his mother had hated Hannah from the beginning.
Not openly.
Margaret Caldwell was far too sophisticated for that.
She smiled.
She invited Hannah to charity dinners.
She complimented her dresses.
She even offered to fund one of Hannah’s university projects.
