Page 302 of Taken Away

Mabel.

Anne took another step.

“You don’t have to do this,” Mabel whispered.

Anne stopped.

Mabel reached blindly toward the bedside table.

The phone.

The lamp.

Anne didn't know.

Downstairs, Moose threw himself against the mudroom door.

Anne glanced toward the hallway.

Then back at Mabel.

“Why couldn’t you leave it alone?”

Mabel went still.

Anne saw the exact moment recognition came.

Not from her face.

The mask hid that.

From her voice.

Mabel stared at her.

“Annie…”

Anne's throat closed.

Not Anne.

Annie.

No one had called her that in years.

Mabel struggled for breath.

Anne should have helped her.

Instead, she stood there.

“You had no right.”

Mabel's eyes stayed on hers.

“She… deserves… the truth.”

“Aubrey is my daughter.”