Chapter 11 - WHAT HAPPENED THAT NIGHT
Evelyn began remembering details.
Not all at once.
Fragments.
Eleanor arriving after dinner.
Saying Thomas had been in an accident.
Dr. Hale waiting in the car.
A sweet chemical smell on a cloth.
Waking in Blackwood.
Signing documents she could not read clearly.
Being told Thomas wanted a divorce.
Being told Malik was sick.
Then dead.
Arthur listened without interrupting.
At one point Evelyn stopped.
“I heard you once.”
Arthur looked up.
“What?”
“At Blackwood.”
She explained that a television had been playing in a common room.
Arthur was giving an interview about her disappearance.
He had said:
“My daughter would not abandon her child.”
Evelyn had screamed.
Staff restrained her.
Arthur lowered his face into his hands.
“I should have found you.”
“You didn't know where to look.”
“I should have.”
Evelyn touched his arm.
“Dad.”
He looked up.
“They worked very hard to make sure you couldn't.”
May you like
Arthur nodded.
But forgiveness, even from Evelyn, could not erase regret.
