Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

She needn’t worry. As Adelaide and I walked slowly, step by step, through the house, if Adelaide so much as faltered, I wouldn’t hesitate to scoop her back into my arms.

“Your home is beautiful,” Adelaide said as we navigated the hallway. In front of us was the back of the house, my favorite view, the reason I’d built this house here. It was one of the things Angelina adored.

Through the windows, the sound sparkled with the beauty of a million diamonds.

It had been years since I’d appreciated the view, but now, with Adelaide’s petite hand gripping mine, I did. “I’ve always loved the view.”

“We’re in New York. What is that?”

“It’s the Long Island Sound. That’s Long Island across the water.”

She shook her head, her freshly washed and dried hair skimming her shoulders.

I helped her to a chair in the formal dining room. The house as a whole was rarely used by anyone but Silvia. The dining room was one of the safest rooms. Though the pocket doors at each entrance were ajar, the room was interior. The windows and sound were a distance away.

“I can’t believe I’m here and we’re here,” she said, gazing up. “But I’m beginning to doubt that my daughter is here. I still haven’t seen her.”

“She is. I wouldn’t lie to you.”

Silvia appeared. “Ms. Montague, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Silvia.”

Adelaide reached out, cupping Silvia’s hand between both of her own. Her eyes glistened as she spoke. Immediately, I knew she was thinking back to the stories we’d shared. “Silvia, please call me Adelaide. It’s so good to finally meet you. My dear, you are as lovely as I’d heard.”

Silvia’s eyes fluttered from Adelaide to me and back as her voice stuttered. “A-as you’ve heard?”

There was so much about me that even those closest didn’t know. I usually wasn’t the sharing type. Adelaide brought out another side to me.

“Yes,” Adelaide said, her honesty bringing our past to light. “Oren always spoke highly of you. And seeing you, I understand why he loves you like a daughter.”

Silvia took a step back, her lips forming a straight line. Never could I recall seeing her speechless.

“Ma’am, I believe I’m at a disadvantage.” And just like that, she was back. Silvia leaned closer. “But I say we kick him out of here and you fill me in on what I apparently was never told.”

Still standing, I found my tone, the one that hid the fact that I was overwhelmed at seeing Silvia and Adelaide together, of witnessing what I hoped would be a budding friendship, perhaps like the one Silvia had shared with Angelina. “I’m not going anywhere. Silvia, I’ve been talking up your culinary skills. Don’t make a liar out of me.”

“As if I can impress with the diet restrictions Dr. Rossi gave me.”

“Let’s give it a try.”

She shrugged, sending a smile to Adelaide as she walked back to the kitchen. Once she was gone, Adelaide’s gaze met mine. “I’m sorry. Did I say something out of turn?”

I shrugged as I sat. “Maybe I’ve never actually said those words to her.”

She reached out to my hand. “But they were true?”

I nodded. “I’ve never lied to you.”

“Then it’s time. Life is too short. Now, you were still trying to convince me that my daughter is here and yet it’s after three and I haven’t seen her.”

“She is,” Silvia said as she brought us glasses of water. “Lennox took lunch up to her about an hour ago.”

Adelaide’s back straightened. “Lennox? Your son?”

I nodded.

“Oh,” she sighed more than spoke. “I’m relieved to hear that. I had memories of something about someone else.” She shook her head. “I don’t know what was real.”

“We have a lot to sort out,” I said. “I spoke with Lennox before he took Alexandria her lunch. He said she didn’t sleep well. The last few weeks at Montague have been difficult. According to him, she may be married.”

Adelaide’s eyes widened and she set the glass of water back on the table as the liquid sloshed upon the shiny table. “No, please don’t tell me she married Bryce.”

“He doesn’t think it’s legal. She’s denied it.”

“Then why would he think she was?”

“Your husband had a marriage license shown to him while they detained him in Savannah.”

“They detained him?”

Silvia came back in with bowls of soup, something with noodles and a wonderful aroma, and then just as quickly, she stepped away.

“He’s here now. Everyone is.”

“A marriage license?” She shook her head. “Surely Alton has realized that I’m gone.”

I nodded. “Yes, that happened sooner than we’d hoped.”

She paled. “Does he know where I am?” She wasn’t only asking about location but also about with whom. We’d successfully kept our affair secret through the years. Once he learned where she was, that would no longer be the case.

“Not yet,” I said. “They’ve hypothesized that you are with Alexandria. Your husband is wisely not making a big deal out of your disappearance. So far there’s been no news coverage. According to Lennox’s assistant, the police believe you were kidnapped. They’re waiting on a ransom demand.”