The Wife Who Erased Us

t like a journey

y transforming. The modest houses gave way to larger ones, which in turn were replaced by spra

ad run away from. Now, i

pair of massive, wrought-iron gates. The n

fed. Leo' s clothes were clean but well-worn, a little too small for his growing frame. They looked

sked through an intercom, his v

d and Eleanor Hayes," Et

I' m here to see the Queen of E

... tell them th

"Son? Listen, pal, I' ve worked here for ten years. The Hay

the street slowed down to stare at them. She whispered something

be desperate to try a scam

nkies. It' s

ushed it down. This was a necessary humil

n. He looked at Leo, whose small face was

ed, squeezing his hand. "We' re jus

, and did the only th

kne

in front of the imposing gates,

rd' s voice crackled over the inter

arents' routine. His mother' s car would be return

t have to

tes. The tinted window rolled down, and Eleanor Hayes look

the kneeling man, the small

s locked on

rumbled. Her hand flew to her mouth

tha

s forgotten as she rushed toward him. Her husband, Richard Hayes,

lly you?" Eleanor cried,

ilk dress wrinkling on the pavement. She wrapped her a

attered. He looked at Ethan' s worn clothes, at Leo' s wide, uncertain eyes.

ow growl, but it was laced with a pain so deep it

, hoping he would come to his senses. They had sent letters that went unanswer

felt years of foolish pride and stubbornness melt away, replaced by the simple, o

his hair, her hands tracing the lines o

h them, his large hand coming to rest on Ethan' s should

as watching the emotional sc

st be Leo," Richard

re beautiful," she whispered, reaching out a trembling hand to

e, his jaw slack with shock. The women with the

lare that could freeze fir

scramble

ing an arm as if he might break. They drew Leo into their

d, his voice firm but ge

Ethan knew he had made the right choice. The battle was far from over, but