fore my flight. The days that followed were a painful limbo. I had to wait

Eleanor, can you come over to the new house? Sarah

problems. But a part of me, a foolish, tired par

e luxurious than our old apartment. As I walked through the front door, I saw him fussing over her, helping her

u need anything? Water? Juic

ce," she said, smil

ed to care for me when I was sick. He would bring me soup, fluff my pillow

in the doorway. He straightened u

expression shifting to one of strained concern. "How' s

eeling a little hungry. Could I have some of that ginger and date soup? Th

pe my grandmother had taught me, something I only made for Liam on cold winter nights. It was a symbol of our sha

"Could you? Just this once? The housekeeper i

n her new home. The absurdity of it was overwhelming. But I looked at Liam' s exhausted face,

ng dates were automatic, but my mind was a storm of memories. I remembered making this soup for Liam after his grandfather had puni

As the soup simmered on the stove, filling the kitchen with its

t my apartment, reading a book, when two large men in blac

ice devoid of emotion. "Mr. Liam Vance

I asked, a sense of

fall. She is accusing

. "What? That' s impossible. I

m," the man said, his tone

ifully. Liam was by her side, holding her hand, his face a mask of fury. Several Vance famil

a finger at me. "Eleanor! How coul

proof, without even asking for my side

managed to say, my voice trem

" Liam' s father, Mr. Vance Sr., said, his voice col

e, searching for any sign of belief. There was none.

turning to him. "You know I wou

st kept stroking Sarah' s hair,

always a bad influence. Barren and bitter. You couldn' t give our f

esigned to inflict the

e with cold, hard eyes. "You will be punished for thi

the family chapel. She will kneel

appeal. He remained silent. He didn' t defend me.

hoing unanswered in the hospital corridor. I was being punished for a crime I didn'