Her smile is wary, and I can see the bastard has wormed his way back into her head.She's keeping up a strong front, but I can feel the storm beneath her calm surface.It strengthens my resolve - this maniac needs to be removed from her life.She deserves to be free of his sick games.
* * *
Two police officersstand in my kitchen, one the female officer who took Alisha's report about the box.Her eyes are kind but professional as she addresses Samantha.
"Could Leo have something to do with this situation?"
"No."Samantha shakes her head firmly."He would never do something like this."
"It's strange that he changed his number and disappeared the same day this happened."The officer's voice remains gentle."Do you know his surname?"
Samantha bites her lip, shaking her head.
"Did Leo ever have access to your phone?"
A muscle in my jawline twitches as I watch realization dawn in my daughter's eyes.
God, if I ever get my hands on that boy...
"I take that as a yes," the officer says with compassion.
Samantha nods, and when the truth hits her, tears start flowing.Alisha pulls her into her arms as she begins to shake.
"How could I be so stupid?"Samantha hiccups."I thought he liked me.But he was working with Alisha's stalker?"
"It's a possibility," the officer replies."It would explain how the stalker got your numbers and why Leo disappeared.I recommend changing your phone numbers while we investigate."
After showing them out, I return to find my sweet, innocent girl still crying in Alisha's arms.The urge to hunt down the bastards who hurt her burns in my chest.
"I'm so sorry," she sobs."I've been so stupid..."
"Shh," Alisha soothes."We all make mistakes, sweetheart.Your dad and I aren't mad.We're just relieved you're safe."
Watching them, I make a decision.I clear my throat."Samantha, come with me.There's something I need to show you."
Both women look my way, and as Samantha approaches, Alisha asks, "Are you going to show her the room?"
I chuckle at her stunned expression.Finding out about my daughter's hidden talent has made me determined - she shouldn't carry my burden.
"Yeah.She deserves the truth.Come on, Sam."
Leading her to my bedroom, I watch her face scrunch in confusion."What's going on?"
I open the drawer, wait for the click, and push open the wooden door.
"Oh my god."Her eyes go wide."Is that a real Bösendorfer?"
I nod, and she rushes past me to investigate the room, stopping at the trophy cabinet.
"These prizes have your name on them.What happened?Why aren't you playing anymore?"
I take the photo from the lid and hand it to her."This is your grandfather and me after my first performance.I was five when they discovered I had his talent.He taught me everything he knew."My throat tightens."Then he broke his wrist.Couldn't play more than a few minutes after that."
Samantha gasps."What happened then?"
"Everything changed.He started composing while I spent every free minute at the piano.He lived through my career.But after years of performing, I wanted a break.They wouldn't hear of it."The old pain resurfaces."When I was sixteen, they wanted me to play my father's composition at an international event.He went on stage, addressed the audience, called for me...but I never showed.When he tried to leave, he collapsed.Major heart attack."
Samantha places the photo down gently, wiping tears from her eyes.
