Chapter 12 - Four Years Lost
Vincent did not sleep. He watched the photograph until the sky began to brighten, then asked the attorney to arrange a meeting with Elena in a public place she chose.
She refused at first. Her reply was six words: You should have believed me.
He read them again and again.
Clara sat beside him. "You can't demand that she trust you just because you finally know the truth."
"I know."
"Then don't. Give her the choice."
By noon, Elena agreed to meet at a small community center outside Madison. She would come with Sofia and Marisol. Vincent could bring one person, but no guards inside.
He chose Clara. She had no reason to defend him, and Elena might trust a woman who had also been hurt by the same people.
When Elena entered the room, Vincent stood. He could not move toward her. She looked at him for a long time, then glanced at Clara's belly.
"Daniel kept his promise," she said.
Clara's eyes filled. "He died protecting your daughter."
Elena nodded. "He saved both of us."
A little girl stepped from behind her. She had Vincent's dark eyes and Elena's stubborn chin.
"Mom," she whispered. "Is that him?"
Vincent lowered himself to one knee.
"I'm your dad, Sofia. If you want me to be."
Sofia did not run into his arms. She studied him, then asked the question that hurt more than any accusation.
May you like
Sofia stayed close to Elena during the meeting. She did not call Vincent Dad, and he did not ask her to. When he offered her the paper bag of blueberry muffins he had brought from Chicago, she took one, broke it in half, and gave the bigger piece to her mother.
"Why didn't you come sooner?"
