Emma had answered her questions as honestly as she could over the years, while taking care not to burden her with unnecessary details when she was younger.
“Grandpa helped me through all of it,” Emma continued. “But there were some things he never told me.”
She brought out the envelope.
Sophie examined the handwriting.
“Is that his?”
“Yes.”
Her daughter touched the paper gently.
“I haven't seen his writing in ages.”
Emma told her about the visit to Elisabeth.
She explained that Michael had been threatened.
She described the money Lucas's father had allegedly offered and the record Michael had kept.
Then she told Sophie about Helena.
When Emma finished, Sophie remained quiet.
Finally, she picked up the photograph.
“That's my grandmother?”
“Your biological grandmother, yes.”
Sophie studied the woman's face.
“She knew I existed.”
“Yes.”
“And she wanted to see me?”
“She asked your grandfather about that when you were a baby.”
