Emma's trembling hand slowly withdrew from the broken seal. She stared at the envelope for a moment before pushing it slightly away from herself. She couldn't bring herself to open it. Not yet.
Her eyes lifted to Ashley. "I don't want to read it."
Her voice was barely a whisper. "I want you to tell me."
Ashley nodded slowly. "You deserve that much."
He leaned back in his chair, but his eyes remained on the gardens outside the window. For several long moments, he said nothing. His fingers came together in front of him, then slowly separated again as he searched for the right place to begin.
Finally, he looked back at her.
"The day Brandon disappeared, he wasn't running away from you."
Emma held her breath.
"He was walking into a trap."
Her brows drew together. "A trap?"
