Page 98 of Remember Me

“Yes. I named him after you. I believed you died for me. I wanted to keep your memory and bravery alive with my son. I went to your memorial service.”

My heart swells with emotion. “Thank you,” I say softly with a squeeze of her hand.

The little boy goes back to building his sandcastle. A short stretch of silence ensues before I break it.

“Why were you afraid?”

“I was afraid he would come after me . . . ”

He. The pronoun spins in my head as Nicole continues.

“And hurt me. Just like he did to you. He’s very powerful.” She brushes away a tear. “He hurt me once and I swore I’d never let him do it again... to anyone.”

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t even remember the two of us meeting a few weeks before your accident?”

I shake my head. “I have no recollection.”

“We met for coffee. I told you what he did to me. I wanted the world to know.”

My need to know grips me like a vise and stifles any other thought.

“Nicole, tell me again. What didhedo to you?”

The color in her face drains. A painful memory has stolen it. Her lips tremble, her hand grows cold and clammy. I give it another reassuring squeeze.

“It’s okay, Nicole. I’m here for you. You can tell me.”You must tell me.

For a quick second, she checks on her son and then faces me. My blood roars in my ears, draining out the laughter and chatter of the children around us.

Nicole bites down on her bottom lip, taking in a shuddering breath. Then, her lips part. The words tumble out one by one. “He. Raped. Me.”

“Jesus,” I mutter.

“And there’s something I didn’t tell you the first time we met. He threatened to kill me if I didn’t submit and sign his non-disclosure agreement.”

“Who did this to you?” Every muscle in my body clenches as I await her response. My heart slams against my chest, every beat faster.

When his name spills out, I gasp so loud it hurts. It’s my turn to clasp a hand to my mouth, not because I’m shocked, but because I may vomit.

My heart almost stops.

I flash back a dozen years.

Oh my God!

It’s the monster that assaulted me!

My husband’s backer.

Sheldon Greenberg!

CHAPTER 60

Finn

Ipace my studio, my head bowed and two fingers pressed deep into my throbbing temples.

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