Mother Adella surveys them, holding her hands behind her back. She’s probably noticing how pale they are or how their eyes, noses, and cheeks are bright red. Lynell realizes that Mother Adella has never met Daniel before and wonders what she must be thinking of him, especially with Lynell’s exposed wounds.

The nun lifts her chin and frowns. “I did not give that man any of—”

“He’ll get it,” Lynell interrupts, reaching over to grip Daniel’s hand. He looks up the stairs at a group of women and girls. A young girl, maybe twelve, is holding onto the banister. Behind her a bald woman, about twenty, stands with her arms crossed, glaring at Lynell and Daniel as if they had ruined a surprise. On the other side of the staircase is another girl and behind her is an older woman holding a sleeping baby. Two more nuns fill the room, and one steps forward, as if to intervene. She freezes when Mother Adella holds up her hand.

Lynell turns back to Mother Adella. The white wimple causes her neck to protrude slightly, giving her a softer look that has made many people underestimate her. Lynell knows Mother Adella can be the softest, kindest human on the planet. Or an unstoppable force.

But Eric won’t underestimate her.

“Please, Mother Adella,” she says, doing her best to ignore their audience. “Believe me when I say this man can get whatever he wants. I’m not trying to get Anna back or mess up her life, I promise. I’m trying to save her life.”

Mother Adella nods and gestures for Lynell and Daniel to follow her. “We should speak in private,” she says, turning and heading through the open doorway.

Lynell follows, Daniel close at her heels. The other nuns stay behind. Lynell lets out a large breath, her body melting into her shoes as she follows Mother Adella through the house she remembers well. Daniel grabs her hand as they pass through a large dining room that has two tables, each with ten chairs. He looks around, taking in the details of the room. Lynell watches him, knowing that he must be picturing what her life looked like in those months when he didn’t hear from her at all.

“I believe you that this circumstance is dire,” Mother Adella says, pushing open a door that leads to a massive kitchen that sports two fridges, a freezer, two pantries, and a large island. It’s been refurbished since Lynell was here last, now with marble counters and black cabinets. “I know you, Rachel. Or Lynell, however you wish to be known. You are kind and would never willingly do anything to cause your child harm.”

Lynell rubs her nose, noticing Mother Adella’s choice of the word “willingly.”

They cross the kitchen and into another seating area, this one small with a couch, two chairs, and a table with three bibles sitting on it. Lynell remembers waiting in here with other girls before having individual meetings with one of the sisters.