Michael was silent for a moment. Then he said slowly,
“Are you thinking about Sophia?”
Emily’s chest trembled slightly.
“Yes… that’s right. Uncle Stephen never said anything about Sophia’s past.
What if… what if James was someone in her life?”
Michael shook his head, but there was a hesitation in his eyes.
“Emily… I heard something…”
Emily sat up straight.
“What?”
Michael leaned forward a little, lowering his voice..
“Stephen said that Sophia left him a few years ago.”
“Yes, I know that… but…” Emily’s throat trembled.
It was as if many emotions rose up inside her at once, disbelief, pain, curiosity. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she tried to control them.
“So… is it true?” she whispered.
Michael shook his head slowly.
“I’m not entirely sure… but it doesn’t seem normal. A
