he positive tests seared into her mind. The room was si

rmth from her body. Then, a strange calm washed over the panic.

gnancy tests, wrapped them in a thick layer of tissue, and buried them at the bottom o

nd poured a glass of water,

minate the pregnancy, quietly, and walk away with her freedom intact. Or she

t did, her other hand moved, as if of its own accord, to rest on her still-fla

rents were ghosts in a pair of faded photographs. This child... this tiny, pop

oice w

decision. To forge it in

the city without a word to anyone. She drove for hours, heading nort

York, nestled among rolling hills and ancient oak tree

Family

mes of ancestors she'd never known, until she reach

eanor Oliver.

shield against a past that was too dangerous to rem

n the silent company of the dead, she finally allowed herself to break. The tears came, a hot, silent torrent for the

told them she was going to be a mother. She told them she wouldn't le

I'm going to take back everything they took from our family. I swear I will." She thought of her real name, the na

skin. The soft, pliable shell of Jodi Holden cracked and fell away, revealing th

ked away from the grave, her postur

-

ar purred to a stop in front of the

smile stepped out. She was dressed in a Chanel s

," she announced to the receptionist. "I

olden for months. She knew her routines, her likes, her dislikes. She knew all of her weaknesses. She w

ve floor. Grant Fletcher was waiting for h

ht this way. Jodi Holden will be bac

cement ha

ecret and a vow, was on