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They sang the entire opening song together and another that Nina knew was wildly popular with theatergoers.
As they drew it to a close, Sophie clapped from her place in the doorway. She blotted her tears. “I couldn’t resist when I heard you singing. I hoped that was a good sign for the session.”
“Yes,” Nina told her while staring at the woman who might be able to help her. “It’s a wonderful sign.”
Kelley’s therapy techniques were unconventional but there was no doubt they worked. By the end of her first year of sessions, Nina could sleep more than four hours a night.
She’d also written letters of contrition to Miss Jeffries, Gage, and Rowan - along with other people in her life Nina felt had suffered because of her existence. She didn’t put return addresses on any but Rowan’s.
A tiny part of her hoped Rowan would find her.
The bigger part of her knew it was a foolish hope.
Every once in a while, she dreamt about her best friend. In it, Rowan was a little girl running from her own terror...her life derailed even further by meeting Nina on that sidewalk so many years before.
No matter the number of hours spent in Kelley’s office, it was the only nightmare she could not shake.
A reckoning was long overdue. Nina wondered if she would survive Rowan learning another awful truth about the girl she’d treated like a sister.
It was a secret that could not stay hidden forever.
Chapter Three
2001 - Age 24
Rowan had dropped off the face of the world.
She finished college but didn’t walk the stage. Letters that Nina continued to send weren’t being returned, but there was no forwarding address listed with her former university. Miss Jeffries spoke to her every week like clockwork but didn’t know where she was or what she was doing.
Nina needed to know that Rowan was alright.
Following a performance that called for three standing ovations, she paced the backstage area frantically.
Isaiah murmured to two men he’d been walking with and approached her alone.
“What is it, Nina? What’s happened?”
“I...it’s probably nothing. I’m overreacting.” Twisting her hands together, she struggled with what to tell him. “My-my friend…”
“Rowan?” Nina nodded. “Is she alright?”
“I don’t know. That’s the thing. She’s one of those people who’s had a plan since she was twelve. Top school, perfect grades, corporate job counting other people’s money. She didn’t walk the stage for her graduation. It’s not unusual for her to avoid fanfare but...she didn’t give anyone a forwarding address. That’s notlikeher. Not with Miss Jeffries...”
One of the two men behind Isaiah cleared his throat. “Miss Adams, perhaps I can be of assistance.”
Nina stared into silver-gray eyes and narrowed hers in suspicion. “In what way?”
“I’m rather good - my company, I should say - is rather good at locating people. What’s her name?”
“Rowan. Rowan Foxe.”
The man’s eyes widened and then he schooled his expression. “I’ll see what I can find.” Crossing his hands behind his back, he stared at her intently. “I asked Isaiah for an introduction. My name is Harper Delkin.”
Hand on her hip, she glanced at Isaiah and he arched his brow. “You love to bring the biggest donors backstage.” She gestured down her body, clad only in a nude leotard. “As if I can’t see what you’re doing, you scoundrel.”
“I feel strangely like a pimp…”
“Are you asking for charity checks again, Isaiah?”
