CHAPTER 2 – THE WOMAN WHO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD
Victoria took one shaky step toward Lily.
"Who told you those words?"
Lily hugged the designer bag tighter.
"My mommy."
A guest scoffed.
"Her mother is obviously lying to her."
Victoria wasn't listening.
She crouched until she was eye level with the little girl.
"Sweetheart..."
"What's your mommy's name?"
Lily frowned.
"Mommy said never to tell strangers."
The answer hit Victoria harder than she expected.
Those were Emily's rules.
The exact rules.
Word for word.
No one else knew them.
The security guard loosened his grip on Lily's arm.
"Ma'am... should I call the police?"
Victoria didn't answer.
Instead, she stared at the handbag.
A limited-edition leather bag.
One of only three ever made.
She knew every scratch on it.
Because she had bought it for her younger sister, Emily, on her thirtieth birthday.
Six months ago...
The police reported Emily's car had plunged into a river.
No body was ever found.
Only the burned vehicle.
Victoria slowly reached toward the bag.
"Lily..."
"May I see inside?"
The little girl hesitated.
"My mommy said only if someone says the password."
The crowd exchanged puzzled looks.
Victoria whispered,
"What password?"
Lily smiled.
"The birthday."
Victoria's eyes filled with tears.
She barely managed to speak.
"April... seventeenth."
Lily nodded.
She carefully opened the bag.
Inside...
There was no money.
No jewelry.
Only a small stuffed rabbit.
A faded photograph.
And a sealed envelope.
Across the front were six handwritten words.
For Victoria... if I disappear.
Victoria's knees nearly gave out.
Her fingers trembled as she picked up the envelope.
Someone in the crowd whispered,
"My God..."
"Emily wrote that."
Victoria broke the seal.
The first line stole the air from her lungs.
Victoria... someone in our family is trying to kill me.
She looked up in horror.
Across the lobby...
One man quietly turned around...
May you like
And started walking toward the exit.
End of Chapter 2...
