Chapter 2: The Woman Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
The bride couldn't stop staring at the faded photograph hidden inside the locket.
It wasn't just a picture.
It was a tiny photograph of her mother...
Standing beside the very little girl now trembling before her.
The date printed on the corner made her blood run cold.
Three months ago.
Her mother had been declared dead...
Seven years earlier.
The bride's knees nearly gave out.
"No..."
she whispered.
"That's impossible."
The groom gently took the locket from her shaking hands.
Inside the opposite side of the locket was a folded piece of paper so small it had been hidden beneath the photograph.
He carefully unfolded it.
Only six words were written in faded blue ink.
Protect Lily. Don't trust anyone.
The bride stopped breathing.
Lily.
The little girl's name.
"Who gave you this?" the groom asked softly.
The child looked at both of them with frightened eyes.
"An old lady."
"What old lady?"
"The one everyone said was dead."
The entire wedding hall fell silent.
One guest laughed nervously.
Another crossed herself.
The bride grabbed the little girl's shoulders.
"Tell me where she is."
Lily hesitated.
"She lived in a little cabin by the lake."
The bride's voice cracked.
"My mother's lake house burned down years ago."
Lily slowly shook her head.
May you like
"It wasn't burned."
"It was hidden."
