Chapter 5 - The Kidnapping

Sarah’s world spun.
"They took her," Sarah whispered, her phone slipping from her fingers onto the worn carpet.
Rose stood up, her frail body shaking. "Eleanor. She knows you’ve been looking. She’s locking down the family."
"I have to get her back," Sarah said, panic clawing at her throat. "I have to get both of them."
"Take Emma," Rose said suddenly, grabbing Sarah’s hands. "Please, Sarah. Look at her. She is your daughter. She has your blood. If they find out you know the truth, they will hide Emma where you will never see her again. Take her and run!"
Sarah looked at Emma, who was happily coloring a picture of a yellow butterfly in the kitchen.
"No," Sarah said, her voice turning dangerously calm. "I am not running. If I run, they win. They have the money, the lawyers, and the police in their pocket. If I run, I will be branded a kidnapper, and I will lose both of my daughters forever."
"Then what are we going to do?" Rose asked.
"We are going to play their game," Sarah said. She stood tall, the fear in her chest hardening into armor. "Tonight is the Annual Mitchell Foundation Gala. The entire high society of Connecticut will be there. The media, the politicians, the investors. Eleanor’s entire life is built on her reputation."
Sarah knelt in front of Emma. "Emma, sweetie. Would you like to go on an adventure to a big castle and see your sister Lily?"
Emma’s eyes sparkled. "Yes! Can I wear my new crayons?"
"You can wear whatever you want, baby," Sarah smiled through her tears, hugging her close. "Mommy is taking you home."
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Sarah turned to Rose. "Can you stand? Can you make it to the gala?"
Rose stood straight, wiping her tears away. "For Emma? I would drag myself through broken glass."