“I got your message,” Faith said. “What have you heard?”
“There’s good news, and there’s bad news,” Hannah said.
“Yes?” Faith waited with bated breath.
“I talked to that friend of mine, and she asked around. The good news is that your sister is fine. So is the rest of your family.”
Faith felt a surge of relief. “What’s the bad news?”
/> “I know why she hasn’t sent you a letter in a while.” Hannah hesitated. “I don’t know the details, just bits of gossip my friend heard. Apparently, Abigail was caught talking with someone who left the church.”
Faith’s heart stopped. It could only be her.
“Her husband found out and got your parents and the church elders involved. It caused a big scandal, so word got around.”
This wasn’t good. Abigail would be facing serious repercussions for committing what was a major sin in her family’s eyes.
And Faith would never get to speak with her again.
“Faith?” Hannah said. “Are you there?”
Faith cleared the lump in her throat. “Yes.”
“I’m so sorry. I know how hard it is to go through this, especially a second time.”
It was little consolation. At least Hannah had a family of her own now. But Faith had no one. Her last connection to her family, even though it had been tenuous, was gone now. The only people in the world who were supposed to love her unconditionally had turned their backs on her.
Faith didn’t blame her sister. She knew how hard it was to break free from a lifetime of brainwashing. Still, it stung. She should have seen it coming. She should have known Abigail would eventually get caught. Secrets don’t stay secret forever.
Out the corner of her eye, Faith spotted Lindsey walking back to the table. “I should go. I’m at dinner. Thanks for looking into things for me.”
“Are you going to be all right?” Hannah asked.
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
“If you need to talk, I’m here.”
“I know. Thanks, Hannah.” Faith hung up the phone.
Lindsey sat down. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” Faith replied. “I was just talking to Hannah.”
“Any news about your sister?”
“Not yet.” Faith didn’t like lying to Lindsey, but she didn’t feel like talking about it.
“That’s too bad. I’m sure you’ll hear something soon. Hopefully good news.”
Their dinner arrived and the conversation returned to Lindsey’s travel plans with her girlfriend. Faith listened intently as she ate. She wasn’t going to let everything with her sister upset her. In fact, this was a good thing. It meant Faith could finally leave her old life behind.
Right?
Chapter Eighteen
E ve brushed Faith’s hair over one shoulder and fastened the diamond collar around her neck. “No leash tonight,” Eve said. “Think you can behave yourself without it?”
“I’ll try my best,” Faith replied.