“Are you all right, sweetheart?” he asked, concern lacing his words. Emily looked up, her big eyes meeting his, unsure whether to trust this stranger. But something in his gaze felt safe, almost like the embrace of her father.
“I’m—I’m all alone,” Emily stammered, tears streaming down her cheeks once more. Her teddy bear, soggy and matted, was the only comfort she had left.
Alexander glanced at the house, where Diana peered through the curtains with a satisfied smirk. He understood everything in that brief moment. His heart ached for Emily, and without hesitation, he made a decision that would change both their lives.“Well, not anymore,” he said softly. “How about we find a place where you belong?”
Emily blinked, bewildered. “Really?” she whispered, as if afraid to hope.
“Really,” Alexander confirmed, offering his hand. Emily hesitated for a second but then took it, feeling the warmth seep into her cold fingers.
As they drove away, the vibrant world outside the car window slowly began to filter back into Emily’s senses. She watched the streets with wide eyes, clutching her teddy bear as if it were a life raft. Alexander spoke gently, asking her about her favorite stories, her favorite games, and soon, the car was filled with the sound of her small voice.
They arrived at a sprawling estate, surrounded by gardens that seemed to stretch to the horizon. Emily gasped, her troubles momentarily forgotten. It was a place straight out of a fairy tale, a world she’d seen only in picture books.
