The company is safe. Your mother cannot lose it, and I cannot use it to keep you. Lucy will know you did not abandon her. You owe me nothing. Matthew

Rebecca read the note three times.

On the third day, she returned to the apartment. The door was unlocked. Inside, Matthew sat at the wooden table repairing a loose strap on Lucy’s schoolbag.

His hands stopped when he saw Rebecca.

Lucy ran from behind the curtain. “You came back!”

Rebecca dropped to her knees and caught the child. “I promised.”