I deleted nothing.
I saved the voicemail and sent a copy to Rebecca.
By noon, my parents were frantic.
My mother left messages begging me to tell her I was safe.
My father said Adrian had called them and explained that I had suffered some kind of emotional breakdown during the reception.
That frightened me more than anything.
An emotional breakdown.
Adrian was already creating an explanation for my disappearance.
I called my father from Claire’s phone.
“Dad, I’m safe.”
He exhaled so sharply that I heard it through the receiver.
“Emma, thank God. Where are you?”
“I can’t tell you yet.”
“Your husband says you’re confused.”
“I’m not confused.”
There was a pause.
Then I told him about Victor’s warning.
My father listened.
When I finished, he said, “Don’t go back until we understand what’s happening.”
I began to cry.
“Dad, I don’t know what to do.”
