Six months passed.
Hope started school in the village. Small school. Twenty students total. Ages mixed. Languages mixed. Perfect for hiding in plain sight.
She called herself Emma now. Emma Cross. American girl living in Switzerland. Father worked in finance. Mother was artist. Normal family. Normal life. Normal lies.
The other children liked her. She made friends. Real friends. Not allies. Not assets. Just kids who played together at recess.
She came home one day excited. Actually excited. Bouncing. Happy.
"Mama, I got invited to sleepover! Sophie invited me! Her birthday party! Can I go? Please?"
I looked at Damien. We had the same thought. Sleepover meant leaving our protection. Meant Hope alone in someone else's house. Meant vulnerability.
But it also meant normal. Meant childho
