Chapter 767

Madelyn shivered, grappling with unfamiliar emotions. 'Mom's childhood sweetheart? But Rosario said Mom was an orphan and Father took her in, right?' Even in the warm living room, Madelyn felt a chill go down her spine. She made her way to the study and opened the pink leather-bound notebook. As she leafed through its pages, she paused at one with precise, fine handwriting. [January 20th, 1975, sunny. I turned sixteen today! Agustin gifted me a necklace and a stunning white pony. Can't wait to ride it around town. I wonder what Mom and Dad have planned for my birthday.] [January 21st, 1975, cloudy. I was out riding Agustin's pony when a man on a large horse, sporting tall boots, startled me. He snarkily called me a "whiny little kid." And my new outfit from Mom? It got ripped.] [March 28th, 1975. That man from before returned, asking Dad for money. From the doorway, I caught his eye. His towering height and intense look sent me hurrying back to my room. Mom says he's around to pro