Carm remembered it all too well.


    The ident had taken from her the most important man in her life. Since then, she’d never even considered marrying someone else.


    When Marcia brought it up, a shadow flickered through Carm’s eyes. “Why are you dredging this up?”


    Marcia pressed, “You remember what happened, right?”


    “Of course I remember.”


    “Then do you remember the police officer and the little girl who saved you and Frank?” Marcia asked again.


    “I remember.”


    In Carm’s memory, that little girl had been such a bright, cheerful soul–like a sunflower, radiant and impossible not to like.


    If things hadn’t been so chaotic at the time, Carm would have seriously considered arranging a childhood betrothal between Frank and that girl. The girl’s family might not have had much money, but they were honest people–her father a police officer, her background spotless. And with such a sweet, well–mannered daughter, she and Frank would have made a golden couple.


    Carm frowned at Marcia, suspicion sharpening her tone. “What are you getting at? What does any of this have to do with Frank?”


    “Frank’s been searching for that girl ever since,” Marcia said quietly. “He used to think I was the one who saved you both.”


    Her voice trembled, just a touch bitter. “That’s why he’s always treated me so well.”


    Carmughed, harsh and scornful. She shot Marcia a look full of contempt. “I knew it. I always wondered why Frank was so obsessed with you–it was never about you at all! You stole someone else’s ce, didn’t you?”


    Pretending to be someone you’re not–how despicable.


    “I didn’t steal it!” Marcia snapped, her voice ringing with indignation. “If I’d been there that day, I would’ve saved you too! I–I just wasn’t as lucky as Elissa, that’s all!”


    Having a police officer for a father, being in the right ce at the right time when a


    wealthy family was in trouble… That’s the kind of luck reserved for a storybook


    heroine.


    If it had been her, she wouldn’t have hesitated to rush in front of those fancy cars, hoping for a generous reward from some rich benefactor. Elissa had just gotten lucky, that’s all.


    Carm’s face tightened as she processed what Marcia was saying. “Elissa? Are you telling me–Elissa was the girl who saved us?”


    “That’s right.”


    Marcia saw the flicker of doubt in Carm’s eyes and knew she’d yed her cards right. “Elissa was that little girl.”


    “That’s impossible!” Carm’s voice was wary, guarded. “Why are you telling me this? What are you hoping to get from me?”


    you should


    “If you don’t believe me, find out for yourself,” Marcia replied coolly. “But know–Frank’s already looking into it. If you want to act, you’d better be quick.”


    Carm studied Marcia closely. She didn’t seem to be lying, and that uncertainty gnawed at her.


    Back then, the doctors had said if she’d arrived at the hospital even a littleter, she wouldn’t have survived. That little girl had genuinely saved her life.


    But if that girl was Elissa…


    Marcia watched her carefully, then struck home. “You’re not seriously thinking about being kind to Elissa because of what happened, are you? You two have always been at odds. If Frank finds out she was the one who saved him, he’ll only listen to her


    from now on.”


    Carm’s gaze narrowed. “What do


    you want?<b>” </b>


    Marcia didn’t hesitate. “Help me make contact with the Murphys.”


    She’d figured it out earlier, when she’d gone to see Elissa. If Elissa really was that little wretch from the orphanage, then the Murphys–who’d raised her–must be the ones. who adopted her back then. And from what Marcia could tell, they couldn’t stand Elissa either.


    The enemy


    of my enemy… could be a powerful ally.


    Elissa, you’re the reason I’ve ended up like this. Don’t me me for what happens next.


    <b>11:41 </b>