“That was real.”
The words hurt more than they comforted.
“He loved you.”
“You don’t get to tell me that.”
“I know.”
“No, you don’t.”
I stepped back and wrapped my arms around myself.
Daniel stayed near the doorway.
I suddenly remembered him.
Remembered the previous night.
Remembered waking beside him.
“Why were you looking for me?”
He swallowed.
“Because my mother received something.”
“What?”
Rebecca opened her handbag again.
This time, she removed another envelope.
It had already been opened.
Inside was a photograph.
Not old.
Recent.
My house.
My actual house.
Taken from across the street.
I stared at it.
“When was this taken?”
“Six weeks ago.”
My skin went cold.
“How do you know?”
“There’s a date on the back.”
I turned it over.
August 29.
Beneath the date were four typed words.
HIS WIFE IS NEXT.
My knees nearly buckled.
Daniel stepped forward instinctively.
I raised a hand.
