Maya stood by the window of her living room, holding the letter again in her hands. Her eyes scanned the words over and over, as if hoping they would change.

“A young man came by recently, asking about you,” the letter had said. “He said his name was Colton. I thought you should know.”

Her heart had been uneasy since she read it. She hadn’t told anyone—not even Elias. But deep inside, she knew she needed answers.

The next morning, Maya called Colton.

“Can you come over?” she asked, her voice calm but firm.

There was a short pause before he replied. “Of course. I’ll be there soon.”

—

An...