She was sure she’d heard that name before. Yet, the more someone tries to recall a person or a thing, the further it slips away.

    Charlotte gave up forcing her memory. Maybe it woulde to her another day. For now, she turned to Mrs. Chambein. “Were you close with my aunt?”

    Mrs. Chambein froze, as if only just remembering that Zoe was her rtive. It was awkward to talk about someone’s aunt right in front of their family. With a strained smile, Mrs. Chambein replied, “Actually, I only ran into her a few times. We weren’t exactly close.”

    Before Charlotte could say anything else, Mrs. Rivers smoothly redirected the

    conversation.

    They chatted for another half hour or so before Mrs. Moore nced at her watch–she had a nail appointment that afternoon and needed to leave. Seeing this, Mrs. Chambein didn’t linger either, bidding farewell to Mrs. Rivers and Charlotte before making her exit.

    With the other women gone, Charlotte and Mrs. Rivers stepped out of the sunroom. Mrs. Rivers, perhaps sensing Charlotte’s earlier distracted mood, paused and said gently, “Truthfully, I’d only nned to invite you today. I didn’t expect the others to drop by for tea unannounced. They’re old friends, so I couldn’t just send them away. I hope you’re not upset?”

    Charlotte looked at her and smiled, shaking her head. “Of course not. Let’s just say I got to introduce myself to thedies‘ circle here in Riverspire City.”

    Mrs. Rivers chuckled. “Oh, those two love their gossip. There’s not a single rumor in the social circle that doesn’t reach their ears. I’ve gotten used to it–don’t let it bother you.”

    Mrs. Rivers was worried Charlotte might be upset at the mention of Zoe, since, after all, she was her aunt.

    Charlotte lowered her gaze. “Honestly, I’m curious about my aunt. I thought maybe today I’d get to learn more about her.”

    Mrs. Rivers looked surprised. “Your father never told you?”

    Charlotte shook her head.

    Mrs. Rivers studied her face, as if piecing things together. With a sigh, she said, “I

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    suppose he never knew how to exin it. I do know a bit about Zoe’s past, given how close I once was with your mother. It would have been impossible not to.”

    “Mrs. Rivers, my aunt once told me that she was supposed to marry my father, but my mother swooped in and took her ce…”

    Mrs. Rivers looked taken aback. “She told you that?”

    Charlotte nodded, but Mrs. Rivers’s expression suggested there was more to the story. “I think there must be some misunderstanding. If my father were the kind of man to forget old ties, he wouldn’t have stayed with my mother through everything she’s been through.”

    “There’s some truth to what she said,” Mrs. Rivers said, her tone growing serious. “Back then, the Donovan family did n for her to marry into the Rayburn family–before her ident, at least. But your father didn’t know there were two Donovan daughters.”

    Charlotte blinked in surprise. “He didn’t know my aunt even existed?”

    Mrs. Rivers nodded. “As I recall, Zoe’s health was always fragile. When Mrs. Donovan was pregnant with the twins, she took the wrong medication–that led to a premature birth. Your mother was fine, but Zoe was born with a congenital heart defect.”

    She paused by a flowerbed, continuing, “As she got older, her condition worsened, and her heart began to erge. When she was fifteen, the Donovans sent her abroad for surgery and recovery. She didn’t return until she was neen. So at the time, your father genuinely didn’t know there were two daughters in the Donovan family.”

    “I still remember,” Mrs. Rivers went on, “your parents first met at a g. I was there, too. It was love at first sight for your father.”

    Charlotte pressed her lips together. “Then why did my aunt tell me she knew my father first?”

    Mrs. Rivers smiled wryly. “Because your father mistook her for someone else.”