Page 132 of Cole

“Not specifically, no.” Her dad’s fingers tapped thoughtfully on his desk. “She mentioned recognizing Annie from the galaphotos and said she was sure that it was more than just a fluke how much they looked alike.”

“So she doesn’t know yet that she’s a Burke?” Benji asked.

“No,” her dad confirmed.

Julian leaned forward. “This is ridiculous. We should just tell her and bring her home.”

“It’s not that simple, Julian,” her dad replied sharply. “We need to understand who she is now, what her life has been like. And more importantly, we need to determine if the people who kidnapped her are still part of her life.”

“What else did Jude learn?” Elizabeth asked, redirecting the conversation before Julian could argue further.

Her dad’s expression softened slightly. “She works at a bakery, as we already knew. Lives in a small apartment above it with a woman she calls her sister.”

Annie felt a strange twist in her stomach at the knowledge that while she’d lost her sister, Angelica had grown up with one. Would she want another one?

“Did she say anything about… who raised her?” Annie asked softly.

Her dad shook his head. “She was guarded about her past. Jude didn’t push. He wanted to establish trust first.” His expression darkened. “But he did note that she seemed… wary. Careful about what she revealed. That suggests to me she might be protecting someone.”

“Or she’s just naturally cautious about strangers asking personal questions,” Elizabeth offered gently.

“Perhaps,” her dad conceded, though his tone suggested he wasn’t convinced.

Annie tried to imagine what her sister might be feeling—approached by a stranger claiming to have information about her past. Of course, she’d be guarded. Annie would be too.

“What happens after tomorrow’s meeting?” she asked.

“That depends on how it goes,” her dad replied. “Jude will try to gain her trust, learn more about her circumstances. If things progress well, he’ll reveal more about who we are.”

Julian made a dismissive sound. “This cloak and dagger routine is unnecessary. We should just tell her the truth.”

“And if the people who took her are still in her life?” Her dad countered with the same argument yet again. “What then, Julian? Do we risk them disappearing with her again? Or worse?”

The room fell silent as the implications of her dad’s words sank in.

“Do you really think that’s possible?” Benji asked, his voice small. “After all this time?”

“I don’t know,” her dad admitted. “But I’m not willing to take chances with any of my children’s safety.”

Annie felt a chill run through her. She hadn’t considered that the people who had taken Angelica might still be in her life.

“What if…” Annie began, hesitating before continuing. “What if she doesn’t want to know us? What if she’s happy with her life as it is?”

The question hung in the air, heavy with possibilities none of them seemed ready to face.

“Then we should respect her wishes,” Elizabeth said firmly. “But she deserves to know the truth about where she came from.”

Her dad nodded in agreement. “Let’s see what tomorrow brings. Jude will call me immediately after the meeting.”

As the family dispersed, Annie lingered behind. “Dad, can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Things are going to change, aren’t they?” she asked. “If she comes home.”

“Yes,” he admitted. “They will. But change isn’t always something to fear.”

As Annie left her father’s study, her phone buzzed with another text from Cole.

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