Chapter 7

In the thick silence, Henry held my broken hand, just like he had done when he used to lull me to sleep as a child. “Naomi, it’s okay! I’m here with you. You’re just asleep, right? When you wake up later, I’ll buy you your favorite cupcakes, okay?”

He seemed to be smiling, but his face was already streaked with tears.

After a long while, Sergeant Hunter arranged for Christopher and Henry to be taken home.

The two of them walked home in a daze. As they turned a corner, they heard Elizabeth’s voice saying, “Lucas, you’re the father of my child. How could you do this to me?”

“Are you sure you’re only playing with Christopher’s feelings?”

“Of course! I just wanted to get all of his money. I only love you!”

...

I froze in place the moment I saw that man. Images from that night flashed before my eyes.

How would I ever forget him?

He was the one who had cruelly broken my hands and feet and violently stuffed me into a suitcase.

He was the one who had knocked me out and taken me to