Chapter 9 - THE PLACE HE CHOSE HERSt. Anne's abandoned surgical wing smelled of dust and old antiseptic.
Nathan remembered Grace sleeping against his shoulder there five years earlier.
He remembered telling his father no.
At the time, it had seemed like a small rebellion.
Now it felt like the only moment when he had truly chosen Grace.
Behind an old baseboard, they discovered a metal tube.
Inside was a key card.
NORTH HARBOR DATA VAULT.
The card led to Box 714.
But before they could leave, Dana called.
Lily had been taken.
A fake child-welfare team had entered the protected residence.
Security cameras had been disabled using Charles's old administrator credentials.
Nathan's blood ran cold.
Grace stared at him.
“You promised.”
“I know.”
“You promised nobody would take her.”
Nathan could not defend himself.
Then a video arrived.
Lily was sitting in a vehicle.
Victoria stood behind her.
Eleanor's voice came from off camera.
“Bring me the key to the originals.”
Nathan looked at Grace.
Her fear had disappeared.
What remained was determination.
May you like
Now they knew where Lily was.
And who had her.
