"Grandmother."

Mrs. Gable immediately stopped talking.

Clara noticed.

There was tension between them.

Julian looked at Clara.

"You shouldn't hear this."

Mrs. Gable shook her head.

"Perhaps she should."

Julian's jaw tightened.

"Not tonight."

"Julian."

His grandmother's voice carried unexpected strength.

"You can't bury the truth forever."

Clara slowly stood.

"I'll leave."

"No."

Julian stopped her.

He looked tired now.

Not powerful.

Not intimidating.

Just tired.

"Evelyn disappeared after an argument with my father."

"What happened?"

"We were told she ran away."

Mrs. Gable's eyes filled with tears.

"I never believed it."

Julian looked toward the fire.

"Neither did I."

Then he said something that changed Clara's understanding of the entire family.

"My father spent the rest of his life making sure nobody searched for her."