The phone rang — a sudden, piercing sound that sent Helen Evans’ heart slamming against her ribs. She hadn’t slept properly in days. Not since Lily disappeared. The exhaustion clung to her skin like a second layer, heavy and suffocating, her worry growing with each unanswered hour.
“Hello?” She stuttered over the word.
There was no greeting, no warmth in the caller. Just a sharp inhale followed by a voice that simmered with outrage. “Helen, where the hell is Lily? Where is your daughter?”
Margaret. Of course. Helen rolled her eyes and sat down on the edge of the dining room seat. She gripped the phone tighter and swallowed hard.
“Helen, answer me, and I want the damn truth this time,” Margaret demanded to know.
“Margaret, what is going on? I told you that I do not know where my daught
