“Stop.”
Chloe closed the journal.
“No.”
The word was calm.
“For fifteen years, he protected you.”
Elena stared at her.
“He could have told us everything.”
“I had reasons.”
“He didn’t know your reasons.”
“I tried to contact you.”
Chloe picked up the returned envelopes.
“Then explain these.”
Elena hesitated.
“I moved.”
Their father finally spoke.
His voice was quiet.
“My address never changed.”
Elena turned.
He looked directly at her.
“The house phone number stayed the same until eight years ago.”
Silence.
“When we disconnected it, I sent you my cell number.”
Elena’s face tightened.
“I didn’t get it.”
“I sent it certified.”
Julian looked at her.
“You told me they moved.”
Nobody spoke.
Elena turned toward him.
“They did later.”
“No.”
Their father shook his head.
“We stayed in that house eleven more years.”
Julian stared at Elena.
She suddenly looked less certain.
“I was told you didn’t want me contacting them.”
