Chapter 1: The Empty Plate
"Daddy…
I saved your seat."
Daniel stopped in the doorway.
His six-year-old daughter, Lily, was sitting alone at the dinner table with tears streaming down her cheeks.
In front of her was a full plate of food — and an empty plate placed carefully beside it.
Daniel slowly walked closer.
"Sweetheart…
who is that plate for?"
Lily looked at the empty chair.
"For you."
Daniel's heart sank.
"I'm right here."
She shook her head.
"Not like before."
Daniel knelt beside her.
"Lily, what happened?"
She whispered, "She said you're never coming back."
His face changed.
"Who said that?"
Lily pointed toward the hallway.
"Vanessa."
Daniel stood up.
Then Lily grabbed his hand.
"Daddy, don't be mad at her…"
She reached beneath the table and pulled out an old family photograph.
His bl00d ran cold.
It was a picture of Daniel, Lily, and his late wife.
But someone had written something across the back.
*"He doesn't know the truth about what happened that night."*
Daniel stared at the words.
Then he looked at his daughter.
"Lily…
where did you get this?"
She quietly answered:
"Vanessa gave it to me."
Daniel's expression hardened.
---
What did Vanessa write on that photo — and what is she hiding about that night?
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