Charles
I come back to the shelter with empty hands, disappointed as hell.
Lily sees me immediately. She straightens, eyes searching my face with desperate hope.
“Daddy?” she asks softly.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry, baby. I looked everywhere. I really did. I couldn’t find it.”
Her lower lip trembles.
Then she breaks.
The tears spill over, sharp and uncontrollable, and before I can move, Molly is already kneeling in front of her, pulling her into her arms.
“It’s okay,” Molly whispers, wrapping Lily tight against her. “Come here. I’ve got you.”
Lily cries into Molly’s jacket, fists clutching the fabric like it is the only thing holding her together. “It was precious,” she sobs. “I didn’t mean to lose it. I swear I didn’t.”
“I know,” Molly says gently. “I know you didn’t.”
She s
