— You think you can just kick me out? I have information that could ruin your business!
— Do it, — Mike said. — But you stay away from Lily.
She went pale. Then someone knocked and the police stepped in. A familiar detective followed them.
— Mr. Anderson, — the detective said. — We received a complaint from your wife. She claims the housekeeper abducted the child and is hiding her true origins.
— That’s false, — Mike said.
The detective turned to him.
— We need to speak with Mary. Where is she?
— She left, — Mike admitted. — But she didn’t take Lily. She kept her safe.
Lily took a step forward. Then, for the first time in years, she spoke in a small, hoarse voice:
— Don’t take her away.
Everyone froze. It was the first clear sentence she’d ever spoken.
— See? — Mike said. — She’s protecting Mary. Mary is family.
The detective studied the scene. Eleanor’s face fell—her plan was collapsing. Mike pulled Lily into a hug.
— I’ll find Mary, — he promised. — And we’ll put the facts straight.
That evening he sat with the folded letter Linda had left. Lily slept with the bear. Mike cried quietly. Linda had asked him to protect both the child and the aunt. He intended to keep that promise. Outside, a new storm was forming: Eleanor wouldn’t give up.
