Emma’s mind raced. She knew she had to act quickly. Her mother was seconds away from discovering whatever secret her aunt had slipped into her coat, and Emma felt an urgent need to protect her from whatever scheme was unfolding.
As the car door shut outside, Emma bolted from her room. She dashed to the coat rack, her small hands fumbling as she reached into the pocket and retrieved the envelope. It felt thick and substantial, and she hesitated for a fleeting moment, contemplating whether to open it.
But before she could decide, the front door swung open, and Laura walked in, looking weary from her morning at work. Her eyes softened when they landed on Emma.
