Chapter 3: She’s Alive
Maya forgot how to breathe.
Victor held the phone against his ear.
Nobody spoke.
The caller said something.
Victor’s eyes moved toward Maya.
Then toward Evelyn.
His expression tightened.
“No,” he said.
A pause.
“You can’t come here.””
Maya stepped closer.
Victor turned away.
“Not now.””
Another pause.
His hand began shaking again.
“I said not here.””
Maya reached for his arm.
“Who is it?””
Victor pulled away.
“Maya, listen to me.””
“No.””
“You need to leave.””
“My mother is alive?””
Victor looked at her.
That was enough.
Maya’s knees nearly gave out.
Evelyn caught her arm.
“Easy.””
Maya stared at the old woman.
“You said you didn’t know where she was.””
“I didn’t.””
“But you said she loved me.””
“She did.””
“You knew she was alive?””
Evelyn shook her head.
“Not until now.””
Maya looked at Victor.
“You knew?””
Victor lowered the phone.
“I suspected.””
“For twenty-two years?””
“I didn't know.””
“You lied to me.””
“I never spoke to you about your mother.””
“That doesn't make it better.””
Victor closed his eyes.
Maya pointed toward his hand.
“The photograph.””
Victor looked down.
The faded photograph was still trapped between his fingers.
“Give it back.””
“No.””
“Maya—”
“Give it back.””
Victor’s voice became cold.
“You don't understand what that photograph can do.””
“What can it do?””
He stopped.
Maya stared at him.
“What?””
Victor looked toward Evelyn.
“She shouldn’t have brought it.””
Evelyn’s voice was steady now.
“She kept her promise.””
Victor shook his head.
“She made a mistake.””
“No,” Evelyn said.
“You did.””
Maya looked at Evelyn.
“What mistake?””
Evelyn took a breath.
Then she looked directly at Victor.
“You should have burned it when you had the chance.””
Maya’s eyes widened.
“Burned what?””
Victor stepped toward Evelyn.
“Don't.””
Evelyn didn't move.
“You promised Alana.””
Victor’s face tightened.
“You don't know what I promised.””
“I was there.””
Maya’s voice trembled.
“You were both there?””
Neither answered.
“Where?””
Victor looked around the restaurant.
The customers were still watching.
Denise approached cautiously.
“Victor?””
He turned.
“Get everyone out.””
Denise stared at him.
“What?””
“Close the dining room.””
“But we’re full.””
“I don't care.””
Denise looked at Maya.
Then Evelyn.
Then Victor.
She lowered her voice.
“Is this about Alana?””
Victor froze.
Maya heard the name.
Her stomach dropped.
“Denise.””
The hostess looked startled.
Maya stepped toward her.
“You know my mother too?””
Denise’s lips parted.
Victor interrupted.
“Denise, go.””
But Maya was already in front of her.
“You know her?””
Denise looked at Victor.
Victor gave her a warning stare.
Maya saw it.
“You're afraid of him.””
Denise shook her head.
“No.””
“You are.””
“I don't know your mother.””
“You just reacted when I said her name.””
Denise looked down.
Maya whispered, “Please.””
The word broke something in Denise.
She looked up.
“I saw her once.””
Maya’s eyes filled.
“When?””
Denise swallowed.
“Years ago.””
“Where?””
Denise glanced at Victor.
“In this restaurant.””
Maya turned toward Victor.
“This restaurant?””
Victor said nothing.
Maya looked around.
The marble floor.
The chandelier.
The polished tables.
The hostess podium.
Everything suddenly felt different.
Like the walls had been holding their breath.
“Why would my mother come here?””
Victor finally answered.
“She worked here.””
Maya stared.
“What?””
“She worked here.””
“When?””
Victor’s voice became quieter.
“Before you were born.””
Maya looked at Evelyn.
“You knew?””
Evelyn nodded slowly.
“She brought you here once.””
Maya's heart stopped.
“What?””
“You were a baby.””
Maya pressed a hand against her mouth.
“What happened?””
Evelyn looked toward Victor.
“He’ll tell you.””
Victor shook his head.
“No.””
Evelyn’s eyes hardened.
“You owe her the truth.””
Victor stared at her.
Then his phone rang again.
This time, he didn’t answer.
The screen lit up.
Maya saw the caller ID.
She read the name.
*ALANA.*
Maya whispered, “That’s my mother.””
Victor looked at the screen.
The phone continued ringing.
Evelyn grabbed Maya’s hand.
“Don’t answer it.””
Maya looked at her.
“Why?””
Evelyn’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because if she’s calling you now…”
She glanced at Victor.
“…then she knows you have the photograph.””
The ringing stopped.
For one second, the restaurant was completely silent.
Then Victor’s phone buzzed.
A message appeared.
Maya saw Victor read it.
His face collapsed.
“What did she say?”” Maya asked.
Victor didn't answer.
Maya stepped closer.
“Victor. What did my mother say?””
He slowly turned the phone toward her.
May you like
There was only one sentence on the screen.
*“Tell Maya I never abandoned her.””*
