Page 275 of Taken Away

Her voice came out small.

Broken.

“What did you do?”

Anne rose unsteadily.

“You weren’t supposed to hear that. I wanted to tell you myself.”

Aubrey flinched as if the words had struck her.

“That’s what you care about?”

“No—”

“All these years,” Aubrey said, sobbing now. “All these years, you let me believe no one wanted me.”

Anne reached toward her.

“I was trying to protect you.”

“Protect me?”

Aubrey backed away.

“You kept me from him.”

Anne’s hand fell.

“You don’t understand.”

“No.”

Aubrey’s voice sharpened through the tears.

“I think I finally do.”

Anne’s face crumpled.

“I loved you.”

“You lied to me.”

“I had to.”

“No, you didn’t.”

Aubrey’s voice dropped.

“You chose to.”

Anne began to cry harder.

Aubrey looked again at the photographs.

The license plate reader. Asheville. Sylva.

Proof lined up in neat, devastating order.