Chapter 2 - The Envelope.
Connor followed Faith's stare and picked up the envelope.
Evelyn crossed the kitchen faster than Faith had ever seen her move.
"That is private," Evelyn said.
Connor held it beyond her reach.
"It has Faith's name on it."
"I was protecting you."
Faith adjusted Noah against her shoulder and felt his forehead again.
The heat had not faded.
"Protecting him from what?" she asked.
Evelyn did not look at her.
Connor opened the envelope and pulled out several pages of photographs, addresses, employment records, and notes about Faith's late mother.
The first page called Faith financially unsuitable.
The second questioned whether Noah's father had truly abandoned them.
The third contained a photograph of Faith entering a neighborhood medical clinic.
Connor's jaw tightened.
"You had her followed?"
"I had her verified."
"She is not a business deal."
"No, she is a woman who appeared six months after your promotion with a child and a sad story."
Faith felt humiliation give way to something cleaner and stronger.
"I never asked Connor for money."
Evelyn finally faced her.
"Not yet."
Connor slammed the report onto the island.
The sound woke Noah, who began to whimper.
Connor's anger vanished from his face as he stepped closer.
"Let me take him."
Noah reached for Connor without hesitation.
That simple movement seemed to offend Evelyn more than any accusation.
Connor held the toddler and pressed his wrist to the child's forehead.
"He's burning up."
"I told her that," Faith said.
Connor looked at the unfinished dishes, the wet apron, and his mother's rigid expression.
"We're leaving now."
Evelyn blocked the hallway.
"If you leave this house with her, do not expect me to welcome this arrangement again."
Connor stared at the woman who had controlled every doorway in his life.
"Move."
She moved, but only after Faith saw fear flicker behind her anger.
At the urgent care clinic, Noah was treated for an ear infection and dehydration.
The doctor assured Faith that he would recover, but asked why treatment had been delayed.
Faith could not answer without crying.
Connor sat beside her in the quiet hallway.
"I should have seen what she was doing," he said.
"You weren't there."
"That has been her favorite excuse for years."
He handed Faith the report.
One page was missing.
The page numbers jumped from six to eight.
Faith remembered Evelyn reaching across the island before Connor opened the envelope.
"She took something," Faith said.
Connor checked the papers again.
Then his phone lit up with a message from his mother.
COME ALONE TOMORROW.
I WILL TELL YOU WHO FAITH REALLY IS.
May you like
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THE NECKLACE AT THE SINK
