The House on Cedar Lane
Chapter 07 - The House on Cedar Lane
Teresa lived in a modest yellow house on Cedar Lane in a Pennsylvania town outside Scranton. Sophie recognized her before the older woman opened the screen door: the same warm eyes, the same way of wearing her silver hair pinned loosely at the back.
"Sophie?"
Sophie began crying before she could speak.
Teresa held her tightly. Then she looked past Sophie toward Luca, standing at the end of the walkway with Matteo and an attorney.
"You brought him."
Sophie stepped back. "We only want to know if Elena is safe."
Teresa studied Luca. "Your wife has lived in fear of you. Not because you struck her. Because everyone around you did what they wanted in your name, and she couldn't make you listen."
Luca accepted the accusation. "I know."
"Do you?"
"I'm beginning to."
Teresa let them inside but refused to disclose Elena's location immediately. Instead, she showed Luca handwritten letters Elena had sent while hiding. One described months of intimidation. Another documented efforts to gather proof of a charity fraud. A third asked Teresa to make sure Gabriel was protected if Elena disappeared again.
"Is she alive?" Sophie whispered.
Teresa's expression softened. "Yes."
Sophie folded forward, sobbing.
Luca gripped the chair. "Can I see her?"
"That's Elena's decision."
Teresa called a number from her kitchen and spoke quietly. When she returned, her face was wet with tears.
"She's coming tomorrow," Teresa said. "For Sophie first."
May you like
Luca nodded. It hurt. It was also fair.
That night he stayed at a motel, while Sophie slept on Teresa's couch, clutching Elena's childhood photograph against her chest.
