Chapter 11 - Grace Had Tried to Come Back for Ellie
The answer came from Grace herself.
Not in person.
Not yet.
From letters preserved by the recovery residence.
Patients sometimes deposited copies of important correspondence with their case manager.
Grace had done that.
One letter was addressed to Luciano.
I did not leave Ellie. Your father brought me here after telling me you believed I was dangerous to her. He said you had agreed I should stay away until I was stable. I need to hear that from you directly.
Luciano stopped reading.
Aldo had told Grace that Luciano wanted separation.
At the same time, someone told Luciano Grace had walked away voluntarily.
Two lies.
One on each side.
Another letter:
I signed a temporary treatment consent because I was exhausted and frightened. I did not sign away Ellie. If anyone says otherwise, it is false.
Then:
Marianne, if this reaches you, tell Luciano I want my daughter.
Marianne cried when she read that.
“I never received it.”
The residence had mailed copies to the Moretti estate.
Aldo’s office received them.
They never reached Luciano.
Grace stayed nine weeks.
Then discharged herself.
After that—
the trail changed.
She rented an apartment under her maiden name.
Worked briefly at a private art school.
Then suddenly left again.
This time there was no Aldo investigator following her.
No records in the Moretti file.
But one address remained.
Portland, Maine.
Luciano’s attorney sent an investigator.
Three days later he called.
“We found her.”
Luciano could not speak.
May you like
“Grace is alive.”
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