He had loved her, she believed, but his father, Malcolm Sterling, had threatened to terminate her employment and destroy the career prospects of anyone who helped her if she continued the relationship.

When Evelyn became pregnant, Malcolm told her Warren had renounced the child.

He showed her a letter purportedly signed by Warren.

It said he would provide money but would never acknowledge her publicly.

She refused the payment.

She left Seattle and returned to Tacoma, hoping to start again.

I told you your father died, my mother wrote, because I could not bear the thought of you waiting beside a window for someone who would never come.

I thought a clean sorrow would hurt less than endless hope.