Summary

In Chapter 1, it is April 2014 in New York. Zoe Whittaker has been dreaming about her biological mother, Carolyn Seever, who abandoned Zoe at the hospital when Zoe was born and Carolyn was 16. Zoe, now 29, also reflects on having been raised by Evelyn, her adoptive mother. In Zoe’s dreams, Carolyn is either her savior or her killer. Zoe wonders if Carolyn would be proud of the woman Zoe has become, serving on the board of CARE (Children’s Association for Relief and Education). Zoe worries about how the evening’s CARE benefit, to be held at the New York Public Library (NYPL), will go off. Zoe’s 40-year-old millionaire husband, Henry Whittaker, reassures her it will all work out. Zoe loves how steady, supportive, and decisive Henry is.

Zoe admits to thinking about Carolyn again, but Henry tells her they can talk about it...