Chapter 2
The envelope felt thin.
Too light for the terror on Portia’s face.
Maisie clung to my jacket behind me.
My bride, Vivian, stood near the altar flowers with both hands over her mouth.
This was supposed to be our wedding reception.
The Torrance family had insisted on displaying that vase beside the wedding table.
Portia said it belonged to Vivian’s late grandmother.
She said it symbolized loyalty.
Now it lay in pieces.
And the real family heirloom was in my hand.
Cedric stepped closer.
“My mother sealed her letters with blue wax.”
I turned the envelope over.
Blue wax.
Cracked with age.
The name written across the front was mine.
Alonzo.
I had never met Vivian’s grandmother.
She died before I entered the family.
So why had she written to me?
Portia stood abruptly.
“This is private.”
I looked at her.
“You slapped a child in front of two hundred people. Privacy left the room before the envelope did.”
Guests whispered.
Vivian approached slowly.
“Mom, what is that?”
Portia’s voice shook.
“Nothing.”
Cedric stared at her.
“Then let him open it.”
Portia looked at her husband with hatred.
“You always were weak.”
Cedric flinched.
I broke the seal.
Inside was one folded page.
And a photograph.
I opened the photograph first.
It showed a younger Portia standing beside my father.
My dead father.
The man she claimed she had never met.
May you like
On the back were three words.
Protect the child.
