Chapter 3: The Truth About Lily's Mother
Chapter 3: The Truth About Lily's Mother
Weeks passed.
Lily refused to attend school unless Nora walked her to the car.
She refused bedtime stories unless Nora read them.
Every nightmare ended the same way.
"Mom..."
Each time Nora gently corrected her.
"I'm Nora."
But Lily only smiled.
"You're the mom who stayed."
One evening, Vincent finally told Nora the truth.
"My wife, Amelia, died two years ago."
Nora lowered her eyes.
"I'm sorry."
Vincent stared out the window.
"My last words to her were cruel."
He swallowed hard.
"We argued because she wanted me to leave this life."
"I told her..."
"If you can't accept who I am, then leave."
His voice broke.
"Those were the last words she ever heard from me."
The next morning, Amelia's car exploded.
The police called it an accident.
Vincent never believed them.
"I built an empire," he whispered.
"But I couldn't protect the only person who mattered."
Nora finally understood.
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Lily wasn't calling her "Mom" because she had forgotten Amelia.
She was searching for someone who made her feel safe again.
