Chapter 2 - THE NECKLACE
“She stole the necklace!”
Lily pointed at Emily with wide, shocked eyes.
Daniel turned sharply.
“Emily?”
The store employee looked toward the display tray.
One diamond necklace was missing.
Emily’s stomach dropped.
Daniel’s expression changed exactly the way Lily expected.
Disappointment first.
Then anger.
“What did you do?”
There.
Not:
Did you take it?
What did you do?
Emily looked at Lily.
Lily looked innocent.
Perfect.
Then Daniel turned to the employee.
“I’m sure there’s an explanation.”
Not for Emily.
For the store.
While he spoke, Emily reached into her bag.
Her fingers found the necklace.
Cold metal.
Tiny clasp.
She had seconds.
If the employee found it, Lily would win before Emily could explain.
So Emily did the only thing she could think of.
Daniel’s suit jacket hung open beside her.
She moved closer.
Pretended to steady herself against him.
Then slipped the necklace into his inside pocket.
Fast.
Clean.
Terrible idea.
But better than leaving it in her bag.
Then she copied Lily.
Wide eyes.
Small voice.
“I didn’t take anything.”
Lily stared.
Something in Emily’s tone unsettled her.
Then Lily grabbed Daniel’s arm.
Fake tears.
“Then search her!”
The employee approached.
Emily handed over her bag.
Search.
Wallet.
Lip balm.
Notebook.
Phone charger.
Nothing.
The employee checked jacket pockets.
Nothing.
Lily stopped crying.
Only for one second.
Then:
“Check her clothes.”
Daniel said:
“Lily.”
“What? If she didn’t take it, she should prove it.”
That sentence made Emily look at her father.
Would he hear it?
Not yet.
The employee checked Emily.
Nothing.
Then Lily.
Nothing.
Daniel frowned.
“Then where is it?”
The employee looked at him.
Professional.
Careful.
“Sir, I need to check everyone in the immediate area.”
Daniel looked offended.
“I’m their father.”
“I understand.”
She checked his jacket.
Her hand stopped.
Slowly, she pulled out the diamond necklace.
Daniel froze.
Lily went pale.
The employee stared.
“Sir… why is this in your jacket?”
May you like
Emily looked at Lily.
For the first time in years, Lily had no prepared expression.
