Chapter 12
Nathan entered the jail visitation room in an orange uniform.
He looked thinner.
Meaner.
Less like a husband and more like the truth without a suit.
I sat behind the glass with Sarah beside me.
He picked up the phone.
“Olivia.”
I said nothing.
“I didn’t want it to happen like this.”
I laughed once.
“How did you want kidnapping your pregnant wife to happen?”
His jaw tightened.
“Mom controlled everything.”
“There it is.”
“It’s true.”
“You had the keys.”
He looked away.
“You don’t know what she’s like.”
“I know exactly what she is. I lived in your basement.”
He flinched.
Good.
I leaned closer.
“Mara is alive.”
His face changed.
Not surprise.
Fear.
“You found her?”
“Yes.”
“And Sophie?”
“Yes.”
He closed his eyes.
For a moment, I saw grief.
Then greed returned.
“You have to understand, Mom said Mara was dangerous.”
“And me?”
“You were going to leave.”
“Yes.”
“With my child.”
“My child.”
His eyes hardened.
“You always thought everything was yours.”
“My body. My trust. My baby. Yes, Nathan. Those were mine.”
He gripped the phone.
“You won’t keep Grace from me forever.”
Sarah moved to end the visit.
I raised one hand.
Then I said the words he had once said to me.
“You really think anyone will believe you?”
His face went pale.
I hung up.
Outside, Sarah looked at me.
“Are you all right?”
“No.”
May you like
I touched the healing incision under my coat.
“But I will be.”
