Chapter 6
Celia’s four years had been quieter than mine.
That did not make them easier.
Cedric moved her to a small house near Lake Mercer.
Not locked.
No guards at the bedroom door.
No chains.
Nothing dramatic enough to name easily.
Instead:
Money.
Housing.
Groceries.
A driver.
Everything provided on the condition that she stayed away from Alderbourne.
Every month, someone reminded her that if she appeared publicly, Elias could be “brought into the family properly.”
She understood the threat.
Lose control of her child.
So she stayed.
At first.
Then she started questioning the story.
Why would I never write?
Why would I never ask for proof?
Why would a man who carried Elias around meetings suddenly doubt him completely?
She sent the first letter.
Returned.
Second.
Returned.
Third disappeared.
Then she came to the mansion.
Turned away.
Again.
Turned away.
Last Christmas, she reached the outer gate with Elias.
Sybil saw them from a service window.
Lenette came outside.
Spoke to Celia alone.
What did she say?
Celia looked at her.
“Tell him.”
Lenette swallowed.
“I said Ronan was engaged.”
True.
“And?”
“That he finally had the life he wanted.”
Lie.
Then:
“I told her bringing Elias back would destroy that.”
Celia looked at me.
“I believed her for ten minutes.”
Only ten.
Then Elias asked:
“Why doesn’t Daddy want me?”
That broke the story.
Celia decided her son deserved to hear my answer from me.
Tonight was my birthday reception.
Crowded enough that security would be distracted.
She came again.
At the gate, Lenette intercepted her.
While they argued, Elias slipped through a service opening.
Found his way toward the ballroom.
Lenette saw him.
Recognized the rabbit.
Panicked.
She guided him toward the gift table and told him to hide in the trunk “for a game.”
Then latched it.
Temporary.
May you like
Again.
Everything Lenette regretted had apparently begun as temporary.
