Page 90 of Enigma
She studied the woman, hardly able to breathe.
Her bone structure looked similar to her mother’s. The way she held her shoulders seemed familiar. Even the slight tilt of her head as she studied Olive seemed like one of her mom’s mannerisms.
But this woman’s eyes were harder, colder, and there was something almost predatory in her smile.
This wasn’t her mom . . . right?
Olive’s gut told her no, but her heart . . . her heart clouded her judgment.
Never think with your heart. You’ll always regret it.
Her dad’s words slammed into her mind.
“Olive . . . you’re such a beautiful girl.” The woman stepped aside and ushered her inside. “You really are stunning.”
Olive stiffened as she paused just inside the doorway, her instincts on alert. “Who are you?”
The woman smiled, a gleam of satisfaction in her gaze.
Almost as if she hadn’t heard Olive, she continued. “I always knew there was something special about you. You were beautiful and smart and destined to do great things.”
Olive’s heart continued to pound in her ears.
The woman stepped closer. “You’re more like me than your mother ever wanted to admit.”
Olive’s mind raced to put the pieces together. “What does that mean?”
The woman closed the door behind them and leaned against it, as if to emphasize that Olive’s only exit was now blocked. “You really don’t know?”
“I don’t.”
The woman’s smile widened. “I’m Sarah Lincoln. Your aunt. Your mother’s older sister.”
CHAPTER 59
Olive’s mind raced as she stared at the woman in front of her.
Heraunt? Her mom was an only child. She didn’t have any sisters.
But Olive couldn’t deny the resemblance between the two women.
Her heart pounded harder.
“I don’t have any aunts.” Olive’s voice sounded thin with trepidation.
Sarah’s smile slipped as her features darkened into a scowl. “That’s because your mother told me I wasn’t allowed near you.”
“Why would she do that?”
“She didn’t feel I was safe.” Bitterness punctuated each word. “She didn’t like the company I kept.”
“And what kind of company was that?”
“As you know, your mother was sent to foster care. So was I. To different homes. I wanted to be with your mom, but no one listened to me. I ended up with a fairly affluent family in the DC area.”
Olive waited, her pulse thumping in her ears as she listened. “And?”
“And . . . because of their affluence, I was able to travel to Europe after graduating high school. I wanted to get a job and try to adopt Margot. My foster parents told me it would never work and that I shouldn’t give up my future for this.”
