Sophie Found an Old Photograph and a Note That Said “Tomorrow” — Then Daniel Asked Vanessa Who the Man Was
Chapter 2 — The Name on the Back
Daniel turned the photograph over.
A name had been written in faded ink.
ADRIAN — 1994.
He looked at Vanessa.
“Who’s Adrian?”
She stared at the floor.
“Someone from a long time ago.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Daniel, please.”
“Somebody is meeting you tomorrow and threatening to disappear if I find out.”
He held up the note.
“So yes, I need an answer.”
Vanessa sat down.
For almost a minute, she said nothing.
Then:
“Adrian was my mother’s brother.”
Daniel frowned.
“Your uncle?”
Vanessa nodded.
“I thought you said your mother was an only child.”
“That’s what she told people.”
Daniel looked at the photograph again.
Adrian appeared to be no older than twenty-five.
“Why was he erased from the family?”
Vanessa looked toward Sophie.
“Because everyone believed he did something terrible.”
Daniel asked:
“What?”
Vanessa’s voice dropped.
“He was accused of taking a baby.”
Daniel stopped.
“What do you mean taking a baby?”
Vanessa closed her eyes.
“My cousin.”
Her aunt Caroline had given birth to a boy named Nathan.
Three months later, Nathan disappeared from a family gathering.
Adrian vanished the same night.
Noah was never found.
“Nathan,” Daniel corrected.
Vanessa looked at him strangely.
“What?”
“You said Noah.”
Vanessa’s face went pale.
Daniel stared at her.
“Why did you call him Noah?”
Vanessa said nothing.
Then Sophie whispered:
“That’s the name Mommy said on the phone.”
