Chapter 13 - THE WOMAN WHO CAME BACK FROM THE DEAD
Rosa found her mother in an abandoned farmhouse outside Philadelphia.
Adrian wanted to come.
She refused.
"I need to hear this from her."
"I don't like it."
"I know."
"Because it could be a trap."
"I know."
He touched her cheek.
"Come back."
She nodded.
"I will."
Her mother opened the door.
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Then Rosa whispered:
"Mom?"
Her mother began crying.
Rosa ran into her arms.
Everything she had buried for twenty-one years exploded at once.
But happiness lasted seconds.
Her mother pulled away.
"Adrian cannot know I am alive."
"Why?"
"Because he believes Matthew killed me."
"Did he?"
"No."
"Then who did?"
Her mother looked terrified.
"Samuel."
Rosa stepped backward.
"What?"
"He didn't kill me."
"But—"
"He hid me."
"Why?"
"Because I discovered who was controlling Matthew."
"Who?"
Her mother looked toward the window.
"The person behind all of them."
Rosa waited.
Her mother whispered a name.
"Adrian's uncle."
Rosa felt numb.
"But he's dead."
"That's what everyone believes."
Her mother shook her head.
"He isn't."
Rosa's phone rang.
Adrian.
She answered.
"Rosa."
His voice sounded different.
"Where are you?"
She looked at her mother.
"With Mom."
Silence.
Then Adrian whispered:
"Get out."
"What?"
"Now."
The farmhouse windows shattered.
Gunfire erupted.
Rosa pulled her mother down.
Adrian shouted through the phone:
"Rosa, run!"
She grabbed her mother's hand.
They escaped through the cellar.
Outside, headlights appeared.
Adrian's convoy.
He had followed her.
For once, Rosa didn't argue.
She ran into his arms.
He held her tightly.
Then her mother looked at him.
"Adrian."
He turned.
She said:
May you like
"Your uncle is alive."
Adrian went completely still.
