Our relationship had unfolded so naturally we’d never bothered with formal labels. It was only in settings like this that I realized how inadequate the word was for what we truly were.
The same was true for Evelyn’s relationship with the girls. Per our lawyer Janet’s advice, we’d issued a press release explaining Evelyn wasn't their biological mother but was a mother to them in every way that mattered as my partner. We’d framed the initial secrecy as protecting Eleanor’s privacy during her illness. A half-truth, artfully spun. So now, Evelyn was introduced as their stepmother, a term that felt far too small for the bond they shared.
After over an hour of socializing, Evelyn finally pulled me onto the dance floor. No sooner had we stepped into the light than the music softened into a slow song.
“Fair warning, I might step on your feet,” I murmured near her ear.
“You seem perfectly coordinated to me,” she replied, her smile luminous.
“I’m sorry for dragging you to such a boring party.”
“It’s not boring. It’s… elegant. Luxurious.”
“And boring.”
“Nothing is boring when I’m with you, Logan.”
“You make everything better just by being here,” I said, pulling her a little closer. “Though I’ll admit, I can’t wait to get you out of that dress later.”
She laughed, and we swayed together for a few precious moments. Then she suddenly stopped, reaching for her clutch.
“My phone is vibrating. What if it’s the sitter? What if something’s wrong with the girls?”
“Sweetheart, I’m sure they’re—”
“Logan.” Her voice was a sharp, terrified whisper. She stood frozen, staring at her screen, her hands beginning to tremble.
“Evy, what is it?”
When she couldn’t speak, I looked at my own phone. The same image glared back at me.
It was a photo of the girls, fast asleep in their beds. It wasn’t from the sitter.
Beneath the photo was a single line of text:
Sorry to ruin your party. It's time to come home.
Alone. Don't bring the police.
- Peter
Chapter Thirty-Eight
LOGAN
I didn’t know it was possible to get from the party to our house so fast. We’d called the police on the way, defying his instructions, but their estimated twenty-minute response time was an eternity.
That bastard had my daughters. I wasn’t leaving them with him for a second longer.
I stopped the car a good distance from the house. If he was watching the street, I didn't want to announce our arrival. Surprise was our only advantage.
I opened my door, and Evelyn moved to do the same.
“No,” I said, my voice low and firm. “I’ll go alone. You stay here.”
“I’m not staying in the car, Logan. He could be armed!”
“And if he is, what good does it do for you to be in there? Stay where it’s safe.”
