The rain had been relentless all morning, drumming against the tall windows of the Kane estate. Evelyn sat in the library, the scent of aged paper and cedarwood curling around her like a faint memory. Her fingers traced the worn edges of an old book she'd pulled from the bottom shelf, a children's fairytale collection bound in deep green leather.
When she opened it, something slipped out. A faded photograph.
Her breath caught.
It wasn't of her. At least, not entirely. In the picture, a younger version of herself stood in a rain-soaked park, barefoot, dress torn at the hem. Beside her was a boy, no older than twelve with storm-grey eyes and a defiant tilt to his jaw. He had one arm around her protectively, his other hand gripping a stick like it was a sword. Behind them, a stray dog snarled from the shadows, teeth bared.
The memory slammed into her like cold water.
She had been lost that day. Frightened. Alone. The park had seemed enormous, the shadows endless. That stray had lunged at her without warning until the boy appeared. He'd fought it off, chased it away, then turned to her with those eyes.
Those eyes…
She could almost hear his voice again. "Don't cry. You're safe now."
Evelyn swallowed hard, her pulse racing.
She had never known his name. Never seen him again. But now… she'd been looking into those same eyes every single day since she married Adrian Kane.
Her chest tightened. She gripped the photograph like it might vanish if she loosened her hold.
No. It couldn't be.
The rain outside roared louder, and somewhere in the mansion, heavy footsteps echoed in the hall. She turned toward the sound, her mind a storm of questions.
If it was Adrian… why had he never told her?
And why did she feel like this was only the beginning of a truth she wasn't ready to face?