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She knew that the time had come

“They say the truth will set you free,” she said quietly

“The letter … is ht I want to be a good father to Lina, but I don’t kno Sometimes I look at her and I wonder where all those years went and what arten and seen her in the school Christot to start so”

Madelaine carefully set the letter on the bench and turned to look him full in the face She realized in that instant that she’d never stopped loving hieabout the truth setting you free, I didn’tabout me”

He flashed her a grin “Another deep, dark secret you’re keeping from me?” He saw her seriousness, and his shter?”

“Of course she is” Madelaine leaned closer Alainst her will, she touched his chest, felt the heart beating, fluttering in perfect rhythht ones

“You’re scaring me, Mad”

“I’ive ies on hiiven hi her so closely, she couldn’t think straight “It edy, remember that There was no time to decide, no ti and I had to save you”

“Madelaine” He touched her chin, tilted her face and forced her to aze “I know that Why—”

“It was Francis’s heart,” she said, feeling her tears rise and fall in burning streaks down her face “We gave you Francis’s heart”

He froze, drew his hand back He went so still, it was frightening

“Say so,” she pleaded

He stared at her, his face pale “You let them cut Franco’s heart out?”

She flinched “He was brain-dead, Angel He wasn’t going to get better You have to understand—”

“Jesus Christ You let them cut his heart out?”