“The scar.”
Vanessa's face changed.
Richard walked to the window.
“Did you know about Aurelia?”
“No.”
“Then stop asking questions.”
Vanessa stared at him.
For the first time in her life, she realized her father was frightened.
Not angry.
Frightened.
The office door opened.
Marguerite entered.
She carried the old photograph.
“I know who she is.”
Richard turned.
“Mother.”
“Aurelia is alive.”
Vanessa's face went white.
“That is impossible.”
Marguerite placed the photograph on the desk.
“She has the scar.”
“Scars can happen to anyone.”
“The birthmark.”
“You haven't seen it.”
“I don't need to.”
Marguerite looked directly at Richard.
“You know.”
Richard's jaw tightened.
“You have no proof.”
“Then give me a DNA test.”
Silence.
Vanessa looked from one to the other.
“Dad?”
Richard turned toward her.
“Go home.”
“Why?”
“Now.”
Vanessa didn't move.
“Was she really—”
“NOW.”
Vanessa left.
Richard closed the door.
Marguerite stared at him.
“What did you do twenty years ago?”
Richard's voice was quiet.
“What I had to do.”
Marguerite's face hardened.
“You killed Camille.”
“I protected this family.”
“You buried a child alive.”
Richard looked away.
“You weren't there.”
“I should have been.”
“No.”
He turned toward her.
“You should have trusted me.”
Marguerite shook her head.
“I trusted you for twenty years.”
She picked up the photograph.
“That was my mistake.”
The next morning, Elena woke in a small hotel room.
She had not slept.
Daniel had arranged the room.
On the table sat three envelopes.
The first contained copies of old Laurent family records.
The second contained photographs.
The third contained a DNA test kit.
Elena stared at it.
“What if I'm not her?”
Daniel answered honestly.
“Then we find out who you are.”
“And if I am?”
He looked at her.
“Then you have a family.”
Elena laughed bitterly.
“Family?”
She touched the bruise on her cheek.
“They buried me.”
“Some of them did.”
“All of them?”
“No.”
Daniel hesitated.