Chapter 1: "Take the Child... Leave the Other."
Rainwater trickled through the cracked cobblestone alley like tears that had forgotten how to stop.
Emily, only nineteen, wrapped both arms around her little sister Lily as if her own body could shield the child from the cruel world surrounding them.
Lily was only seven.
Too young to understand why their mother had never come home.
Too young to understand why strangers kept knocking on the orphanage door.
But old enough to know one terrifying truth...
If she let go of Emily's hand...
She might never see her again.
Across from them stood a sharply dressed man in a gray suit.
His polished shoes looked strangely clean against the muddy street.
Behind him waited a black luxury car.
The orphanage director smiled nervously.
"They're wonderful girls."
"The younger one especially."
Emily's stomach tightened.
She had heard those words before.
Families always wanted the younger children.
Nobody wanted the older sister who came with responsibility... questions... and painful memories.
The man crouched in front of Lily.
His smile looked perfect.
Too perfect.
"What would you like to be when you grow up?"
Lily looked at Emily before answering.
"I just want to stay with my sister."
Silence.
The man slowly stood.
Then he looked directly at the orphanage director.
Five cold words escaped his mouth.
"We'll take the little one."
Emily felt the world stop.
"No."
Her voice barely existed.
"No... please..."
She dropped to her knees, holding Lily tighter than ever.
"I'll work."
"I'll clean."
"I'll sleep outside."
"You don't have to feed me."
"Just don't separate us."
The director avoided her eyes.
"Emily..."
"You know the rules."
Lily burst into tears.
"I'm scared!"
"I don't want to go!"
Emily kissed her little sister's forehead over and over.
"I'll find you."
"I promise."
"I'll always find you."
The man checked his expensive watch, visibly impatient.
Two attendants stepped forward.
One reached for Lily.
Emily pulled back.
Another grabbed Emily's arms.
She screamed.
Not out of anger.
Out of pure desperation.
Every child inside the orphanage rushed to the windows.
Some cried.
Others simply watched in silence.
Everyone knew...
Today it was Emily.
Tomorrow it could be them.
Lily stretched both hands toward her sister.
"EMILY!"
"I DON'T WANT TO GO!"
Emily fought with every ounce of strength she had.
Until...
Something slipped from around Lily's neck.
A tiny silver locket.
It landed on the wet stones with a soft metallic click.
The man in the gray suit froze.
His confident smile disappeared instantly.
His eyes widened.
He slowly bent down and picked up the locket.
When he opened it...
The color drained from his face.
Inside wasn't a family photo.
It was an old newspaper clipping.
A faded headline.
A baby's picture.
And a handwritten sentence on the back.
"She is the last surviving heir."
The man's hands began to shake.
He stared at Lily...
Then at Emily...
Before whispering words no one else was supposed to hear.
"My God..."
"They found her first."
Before anyone could ask what he meant...
Three black SUVs turned into the alley.
And every armed man inside stepped out with only one order.
May you like
"Secure the girl."
To Be Continued...
