Daniel carried Lily downstairs and locked the front door.
The headlights outside disappeared.
For several seconds, the house was completely silent.
Then someone knocked.
Three times.
Daniel looked through the window.
A woman stood outside, holding a white umbrella.
Emily.
He opened the door, but she remained on the other side of the threshold.
“Daniel, listen carefully. We don’t have much time.”
He reached for her hand.
His fingers passed through hers.
Daniel stumbled backward.
Emily looked at Lily with unbearable sadness.
“I wanted to raise her with you. I wanted her to grow up knowing her father. But I couldn’t let him find her.”
“Who?” Daniel demanded. “Who are you protecting her from?”
Emily looked toward the road.
A second figure appeared beneath the streetlight.
Michael.
He walked toward the house, smiling as if he had been expected.
Emily’s expression changed.
“Daniel, you must never let him take Lily.”
Michael stopped outside the gate.
“Brother,” he called softly. “You’ve had your chance to raise my daughter.”
Daniel turned toward Lily.
The little girl was crying.
Michael lifted his hand.
Every light in the house went out.
When Daniel could see again, Lily was gone.
Only her wooden box remained on the floor.
