Chapter 4 - Dawn Confessions and the Heart Locket
Morning sunlight spilled through the pine branches, casting golden streaks across the wooden cabin floor.
Elena sat watching Emma wake up. The little girl stretched, opened her eyes, and saw Elena sitting quietly nearby.
"You have the same eyes as me," Emma observed innocently.
Elena smiled through her tears. "I do, don't I?"
"And you have dark hair," Emma added. "Aunt Celeste has yellow hair. She told me dark hair was ugly."
Elena’s heart ached at the cruelty. She reached out gently. "Your hair is the most beautiful thing in the world, Emma. Just like you."
Emma walked over to the table and pointed to the joined silver heart. "That’s my baby necklace. Daddy keeps it on his keys so I'm always with him."
Jonathan walked in carrying three mugs of hot cocoa and warm toast. He knelt beside Emma.
"Emma," Jonathan began gently. "You know how much I love you, right?"
"To the moon and all the stars," Emma recited their bedtime routine.
"That will never change," Jonathan said, kissing her forehead. "Six years ago, someone did something very bad and took you from the woman who gave birth to you. Elena has searched for you every day since. And she loves you just as much as I do."
Emma looked between Jonathan and Elena. "So... I have two people who love me?"
Elena broke down, wrapping her arms around Emma. After a brief hesitation, Emma wrapped her small arms around Elena’s neck.
The tender moment was abruptly shattered by the low rumble of heavy engines outside.
May you like
Jonathan rushed to the window, peering through the curtain. Three black, unmarked SUVs had surrounded the perimeter. Armed private security operatives were deploying, led by Richard Sterling, his face heavily bandaged.
"They tracked us," Jonathan whispered. "The SUV has a hidden fleet GPS transponder."
