Page 98 of Unsealing Her Fate

I pull away from Charlie with a sigh. “You guys should probably sit down. It’s time I come clean.” My voice is shaky, and I have a feeling that will only get worse before this conversation is through.

“What are you talking about?” Charlie asks.

Irene hushes her quickly as she sits in an armchair across from the sofa. Charlie sits next to me, and Jack paces the room in front of the TV, brooding with his hands in tight fists at his sides until finally he sits as well.

Taking a deep breath, I look at their waiting faces and begin. “There’s no good way to say any of this, so I’m just going to blurt it out. Andi Sparks isn’t my name. It’s a pseudonym I used for my artwork. Myrealname is Andrea Shaw.”

A gasp slips from Charlie’s lips. She opens her mouth to speak, but Irene smacks her leg and shushes her before she can. Jack stills, his eyes locked on mine. He and Irene remain silent and attentive.

“My ex-fiancé, California Senator Christopher Gates, reported me missing recently. In fact, you might have seen or heard it across the news since it’s made its way all the way out here.” I survey their reaction, anticipating anything that might go wrong from the expressions looking back at me. “Obviously, I’m not missing. I’m more of a runaway.”

That isn’t the right word. Children run away from home, and women flee from their abuser.

“Everything is so big, and it only keeps growing. There are so many details, and I don’t know how much to delve into,” I say, running my hand through my hair. The room is so silent you could hear a pin drop. “The short version is that I uncovered criminal information about Christopher. When he found out, he attacked me”—my voice quivers—“and almost killed me.” The last part is barely a whisper.

Jack stands quickly, knocking into the coffee table. Without hesitation, he reaches for me before quickly pulling his hand back, seemingly unsure if he should touch me or not.

My eyes dart to his. “I’m sorry, Jack. I tried not to lie to you or put you in danger. Everything I’ve told all of you about me is true. The only thing I’ve outright lied about is my identity, and I avoided questions revolving around where I’m from. I know coming and living here was a risk, but I thought it would be okay. I don’t know how he found me.”

He shakes his head. “Youhave nothing to apologize for. This isn’t on you. You’re a victim—not a runaway—a victim.” His tone once again leaves no room for argument. It’s sharp, direct.

I’m shocked by his response. I didn’t expect him to understand, but there is a softness in his expression that can’t be mistaken.

“He’s right… Andrea,” Irene says, calling me by my real name for the first time.

God,that feels good to hear one of them say my real name. Like Jack, softness reflects in her expression as well. I’ve only seen that on her once before, when we talked about the bruises on my neck.

“You ran because you had to. You kept your secret from us because you had to. You had to protect yourself, and that’s something everyone should be able to understand.”

Charlie chimes in. “I’m still not sure what exactly is going on, but I know you well enough to know you only did what you had to.”

“You think this Christopher has something to do with the fire?” Irene asks.

I snort, unable to help myself. “It would be ahellof a coincidence if he didn’t.” I shudder at the thought of how close he came once again to killing me.

My eyes fill with tears again as I look over the faces of the people who have taken me in, sheltered me, given me a job, friendship, and even hope. All I find as I study them is acceptance. Understanding. Love.

How can they accept me so completely without judgment?

“I need to know everything, so I can help protect you,” Jack says with a seriousness that makes my heart skip before speeding up.

“It’s all right there.” I point to the papers in my bag that miraculously made it inside Jack’s house.

Understanding fills Jack’s eyes, no doubt realizing why I was so persistent about grabbing it all. That evidence is my only way to freedom. If it all burned in that fire, I’d have nothing. I know Addy has some of it but what if they get to her, too?

I bolt to my feet as the thought of Addy sends me reaching for my bag in a panic.

“Hey, hey what’s wrong?” Charlie coos like she’s comforting a small child.

“I need to call my sister, Addy! If they know where I’m at, then she’s in even more danger!” I cry as I finally find the phone. I grab it and dial her number while everyone in the room watches on a bated breath.

She’s not answering. Don’t panic. It’s three in the morning. She’s probably sleeping.

I hate to wake her, but I can’tnotget in touch with her tonight. If something happens before I can tell her, I’ll never forgive myself. I dial again, and after what feels like forever, I hear a groggy Addy answer.

“Hello?”

My breath whooshes out of me in a relieved exhale. “Addy! Are you okay?” I ask in panic.

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