Chapter 2: The Man Who Sent the Photograph
Maren ran.
The path was uneven and the wedding noise faded fast behind her.
By the time she reached the cliff edge, Celestine was standing with her back to the water, holding Elodie against her side like a shield.
"Don't come any closer," Celestine said.
Her voice was calm.
That was the worst part.
"She's bleeding, Celestine."
"She fell.
Children fall."
Maren looked at Elodie.
The little girl's eyes were fixed on the ground.
Her free hand was pressed flat against her dress, the way a child presses down on something that hurts.
"Elodie, sweetheart.
Can you look at me?"
Elodie glanced up for just a second.
Then she looked at Celestine.
That look said everything.
"You need to leave," Celestine said quietly.
"You signed the papers.
You have no rights here.
If you make a scene at this wedding, I will have you removed, and you will never see her again."
Maren's hands were shaking.
But she didn't move.
"Who sent me that photograph, Celestine?"
Something crossed Celestine's face.
Not anger.
Fear.
Before she could answer, a man's voice came from behind Maren on the path.
"I did."
Maren turned.
It was the estate's groundskeeper — an older man she didn't recognize.
He was holding a second photograph.
"There's something you need to see," he said.
"Something that happened the night they took her from you."
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What really happened the night Maren lost Elodie — and what is in that second photograph?
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The full truth is darker than anyone expected.
Read the complete story in the link below.
