Chapter 1 - The Knock My Daughter Begged Me Never to Answer
The first time my six-year-old daughter begged me not to answer the front door, I thought she was afraid of strangers.
I had no idea she was trying to save my life.
At exactly 8:42 that Tuesday morning, my husband kissed my forehead, picked up his leather briefcase, and smiled like nothing in the world could touch him.
"I'll be in Chicago until Friday," Daniel said. "Don't wait up if my flight gets delayed."
He looked perfect.
Tailored navy suit.
Fresh shave.
The expensive watch I had bought him for our tenth anniversary.
The same warm smile that had once convinced me I had married the safest man in the world.
He leaned down and kissed our daughter, Emma, on the head.
"Be good for Mommy."
Emma didn't smile back.
She simply watched him walk toward the driveway.
Watched him load his suitcase into his black SUV.
Watched him drive away without waving.
Something about her expression unsettled me.
When the sound of the engine disappeared down the street, I closed the front door and headed toward the kitchen.
The house smelled of fresh coffee and cinnamon pancakes.
Sunlight poured through the windows.
It looked like the kind of peaceful morning families dreamed about.
I turned on the faucet and began washing breakfast dishes while humming softly to myself.
Life felt ordinary.
May you like
Comfortably ordinary.
Then I heard tiny footsteps racing across the hardwood floor.
