Chapter 6

After dinner, Catherine and Albert went to the study to discuss the troubling matter at hand.

“Albert, I’ve reviewed the information your lawyer sent us. Unfortunately, I don’t have good news. Your supposed partner ran off with millions and offended one of the most prominent families in your country, which makes it difficult to take immediate action.”

“What do you suggest? I don’t have much left. I could turn myself in and avoid all this trouble.”

“No, Albert, I don’t suggest that you turn yourself in. What’s true is that we can’t do much until we find the real culprit.”

“So, what do you recommend we do?”

“I’ve been analyzing the possibilities, and we only have one option, but you’re not going to like it.”

“What is it?”

“Our family owns some undeclared properties. I’ve thought that maybe you could stay there, at least until we manage to locate your partner. I know that as soon as they realize you’ve left the country, they’ll start looking for you everywhere. I’m not sure how much they know about your connection to us.”

“So, what you’re suggesting is that we go to one of your properties?”

“I think the most important thing is your safety and your family’s safety. I can protect you, but I don’t want any unnecessary scares.”

“I understand, and I know I’m causing you a lot of trouble. I also know that helping us puts you in danger.”

“It’s not that big of a deal. My family can and knows how to defend itself, but you, my dear friend, worry me. Your granddaughter worries me. Your children are already safe, but we still need to put you and her in a secure place.”

“I never thought I’d find myself in this situation.”

“Albert, there’s no point in lamenting now. To get you out of here, we’d need to do it today.”

“I understand, but I need to ask you something.”

Albert had been thinking things over during their conversation. He didn’t care if he was arrested or if they lost everything. What mattered most to him, what pained him the most, was that Mary might get hurt or even end up in jail for something she didn’t do.

“I need you to take care of my granddaughter.”

“What? What do you mean?”

“Mary is very young, and just the fact that she had to leave the country like this has scared her enough. I didn’t even give her the chance to say goodbye at her mother’s grave. I don’t want her going through more, like us moving from one place to another to avoid being found.”

“I understand! You know I’ll gladly take care of her, but… will she agree?”

“I know she won’t! But we don’t have a choice. Her father has always blamed her for her mother’s death and has never looked at her kindly. I’m her only safe haven, but they are my children too. And no matter how bad their decisions have been, I can’t abandon them.”

“I know, Albert, and I completely understand what you’re saying! Don’t worry! She will be in good hands here with me. You know how much I wanted a daughter, but life never gave me the chance. Now you’re giving me the opportunity to have a granddaughter. I’ll take care of her with all my heart. I’ll do my best to make sure she’s always safe and sound here.”

“I know you will! You’re the only person I trust, even though we haven’t seen each other in so many years.”

“That’s how it will be, my dear friend!”

With no more to discuss, Catherine called the staff to take Albert to a safe place, but not before allowing him to say a silent goodbye to his granddaughter. He entered Mary’s room to leave her a letter and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. Trying not to look back, Albert left for an uncertain destination.

The next morning, a ray of sunlight slipped through the curtains, waking Mary. She was surprised to feel a piece of paper next to her. She opened her eyes wide in surprise when she saw it was an envelope with her name on it. She opened it and began to read.

[My dear girl

I know this isn’t the best way to do this, but I also know that if I told you in person, you’d cling to me like you did when you were a baby and wouldn’t let me go.

Things aren’t going well, and I don’t want you moving from place to place with me. That’s why I’ve asked Catherine to take care of you. I know she will do so with great care. She never had the chance to have daughters, so from now on, you’ll be like one to her. Take good care of her, just as she will take care of you.

I love you, my girl. I’ve loved you since the moment I held you in my arms, since your grandmother carried you in her arms to bed to keep you warm instead of putting you in a crib. You are and always will be my little girl.

As soon as things change, I will come for you, and we’ll go wherever we please. We’ll fulfill all your crazy teenage dreams. Believe me, I would much rather leave work behind and travel the world with you than make you go through all this.

I hope it won’t be long before I can contact you. Please listen to Catherine’s advice; your safety always comes first. I hope to visit you soon, my dear girl.

With all my love,

Your grandfather.]

-

When she finished reading the letter, tears streamed down Mary’s face, covering it. She would have preferred to say goodbye to him in person, not through a letter. But she also knew she would find a way to sneak off and end up going with him. As the letter said, it wasn’t a lie. She didn’t understand the magnitude of the problem her family was facing. She was just a 17-year-old girl who, suddenly, was in a different place, with different people, and didn’t even speak the language.