Chapter 1: The Woman Who Returned

Chapter 1: The Woman Who Returned
The woman’s breath came unevenly as she stepped closer.
“Ethan…”
Her voice broke before she could finish his name.
Then her gaze shifted—past the boy, past Lily—straight onto Lily’s father.
All color drained from her face.
“You…” she whispered. “It really is you.”
The park suddenly felt smaller, tighter, like air had been pulled out of it.
Lily’s father didn’t move.
“Where have you been?” he asked coldly, though his hands were still shaking.
The woman flinched.
“I didn’t disappear,” she said. “I was forced to leave.”
Ethan looked between them, confused.
“Mom… what is she talking about?”
The woman stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Lily’s father.
May you like
“He took her,” she said softly. “He took your sister.”
Silence shattered.