“No…” he whispered.
“No, that’s impossible.”
The girl looked confused.
Around the restaurant, people stared between them.
Victor’s hands shook.
“Where did you get that key?”
The girl touched the silver key hanging around her neck.
“My mom gave it to me before she died.”
His face lost even more color.
“What did she say?”
The little girl frowned, trying to remember.
“She said…” her voice became softer, “…if I was ever hungry and had nowhere else to go, I should come here and find the man who ruined everything.”
The entire terrace froze.
Nobody laughed now.
Nobody moved.
Victor looked like someone had punched the air out of him.
Years ago, there had been rumors.
A young pianist.
A scandal.
A woman who suddenly disappeared.
Nobody talked about it anymore.
Because Victor Hale made sure they didn’t.
Slowly, the girl removed the key from her neck.
“It opens something.”
Victor’s eyes widened.
“No…”
She looked at him.
“My mom said only you know where.”
The restaurant had become completely silent.
Then a voice suddenly came from behind:
“I know where it opens.”
Everyone turned.
An older woman stood near the entrance.
Her eyes were filled with tears.
She looked directly at Victor.
“I’ve waited twenty years for this night.”
Victor stumbled backward.
Because he recognized her instantly.
And so did the fear in his eyes.
