CHAPTER 1: THE GIRL WITH THE MILK
CHAPTER 1: THE GIRL WITH THE MILK
The store manager grabbed the little girl's wrist before she could reach the exit.
"Stop right there!"
The carton of milk slipped from her trembling hands and hit the floor.
Customers turned to stare.
Some shook their heads.
Others whispered about thieves and irresponsible parents.
The girl lowered her eyes and hugged a worn backpack against her chest.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
The manager's face remained hard.
"Sorry doesn't pay for stolen food."
Tears filled her eyes, but she didn't run.
She didn't argue.
She simply looked toward the door as if someone important was waiting for her.
At that moment, a tall man in an expensive suit stepped forward.
His name was Richard Bennett.
Owner of one of the largest construction companies in the state.
He had come to the store for a bottle of water.
Nothing more.
Yet one glance at the frightened child stopped him cold.
There was something familiar about her face.
Something he couldn't explain.
"How much is the milk?" Richard asked.
The manager looked surprised.
"Three dollars."
Richard handed him a hundred-dollar bill.
"The milk is paid for."
The crowd slowly dispersed.
The little girl stared at him.
"Thank you, sir."
Richard smiled gently.
"What's your name?"
The girl hesitated.
Then she answered.
"Emma Carter."
The moment he heard those words, the color drained from his face.
Emma Carter.
The same surname as his younger sister.
The sister who had disappeared nearly ten years ago.
May you like
The sister everyone believed had abandoned the family forever.
For the first time in a decade, Richard felt his world begin to shake.
