Chapter 2 — The Truth Hidden for Twenty-Nine Years
The church smelled of old wood and candle wax.
Margaret Doyle sat alone in the last pew.
She looked far older than Emily expected.
Frail.
Exhausted.
She stood the moment Emily entered.
"I've waited almost thirty years for this."
Emily remained standing.
"You stole me."
Margaret closed her eyes.
"No."
Emily frowned.
Margaret slowly reached into her purse and removed a worn leather journal.
"I saved you."
Silence filled the chapel.
Margaret's hands trembled.
"The woman who worked inside the Vale estate wasn't just a nanny."
"She was part of a group planning to ransom you."
Emily's expression changed.
Margaret continued.
"I overheard everything."
"They were going to fake your death."
"I took you before they could."
Emily stared at her.
"Then why didn't you bring me back?"
Margaret's eyes filled with regret.
May you like
"Because before I could..."
"They found us."
