Chapter 1 - ON HER KNEES
The first thing Alexander Sterling heard when he opened his front door was a child trying not to cry.
He stepped into the marble foyer, loosened his tie, and stopped.
Sofia was kneeling beside a wooden stool near the sitting room.
The eight-year-old wore a black maid's dress that was too large for her and a white apron tied twice around her waist. Black shoe polish covered both hands.
Veronica Ashford sat above her in a cream designer dress, one leg crossed over the other.
"Again," Veronica said.
"I already did it."
Veronica pushed the shoe closer.
"A servant's child belongs on her knees."
Alexander's briefcase slipped from his hand.
Before he could speak, Veronica shoved Sofia backward with her foot.
The girl hit the floor beside the stool.
"Sofia!"
Both of them turned.
Veronica's face emptied.
Sofia stared at Alexander as if she had been waiting all day for that doorway to open.
Then she whispered, "Daddy..."
"She doesn't know what she's saying."
Her knees were red. There was a bruise on one wrist.
"Why is she dressed like this?"
Veronica folded her arms.
"Maria's niece wanted to help. I gave her something useful to do."
"I'm not Aunt Maria's daughter."
"What did you call me?"
"She's confused."
Alexander removed Sofia's apron.
A silver chain fell from beneath the collar.
At the end was a small oval locket.
He knew it.
He had bought it nine years earlier for a woman named Lucia Reyes.
A woman he had loved.
A woman his father told him had disappeared after giving birth to a baby girl who died three days later.
Alexander opened the locket.
Inside was a faded photograph.
Him.
Lucia.
And a newborn baby in his arms.
His hands began to shake.
Veronica whispered, "Alexander, don't."
Not at Sofia.
May you like
At Veronica.
"How do you know what I'm about to ask?"
