She saw her daughter.
Then me.
And went completely still.
Not because she recognized my disguise.
Because she heard my name.
“Ellie,” she said.
The girl looked between us.
“What?”
Her mother walked toward us slowly.
“Why did he tell you his name?”
“I asked.”
The woman’s eyes never left my face.
“Say it again.”
I frowned.
“My name?”
“Yes.”
“Arden Vale.”
She went pale.
For a moment, I thought she might faint.
Coryn stepped closer.
“Maeve?”
“I’m fine.”
Maeve.
The name meant nothing to me.
Then she looked at my left hand.
Specifically, my wedding ring.
I still wore it.
Plain gold.
Inside were engraved initials.
A + L.
She whispered:
“Where did you get that?”
I stared.
“It was my wife’s choice.”
“What was her name?”
My mouth went dry.
