The Beggar Girl Said My Dead Wife Was Alive

CHAPTER 5 — The Home She Chose

Daniel reached the lakeside cottage before the police.

The front door stood open.

Inside, Lucy was hiding beneath the kitchen table. Amelia was backed against the wall while Vanessa's brother demanded the voice recorder.

Daniel stepped between them.

"It's already with the police."

The man reached inside his coat.

Police flooded the cottage before he could pull out his weapon.

Detective Grant arrested him for kidnapping, poisoning, fraud and conspiracy.

When the danger was over, Daniel turned toward Amelia.

She did not run into his arms.

She simply held Lucy.

"I am sorry," Daniel said. "Not only for believing Vanessa, but for giving her so much power that you couldn't reach me."

Amelia's eyes filled with tears.

"I wrote to you every month."

"I know."

"I waited seven years."

Daniel removed his wedding ring and placed it on the table.

"I won't ask you to come home. I won't ask you to forgive me. But if you allow it, I want to become Lucy's father."

Amelia agreed to one afternoon each week.

Then two.

Daniel rented a modest house nearby rather than returning to his mansion. He attended Lucy's school meetings, brought groceries and accompanied Amelia to every medical appointment.

Vanessa and her brother were sentenced to prison. The stolen money was recovered and placed in a trust for Lucy.

A year passed before Amelia invited Daniel inside for dinner.

On the anniversary of the morning they met again, the family returned to the old street.

Lucy carried the photograph.

"This fell out of your pocket," she reminded him.

Daniel smiled.

"No. I think it found exactly where it needed to go."

Amelia reached for his hand.

She was not promising to forget the lost years.

She was choosing to begin again.

Lucy walked between them, holding both their hands as the morning sun reflected on the wet stones.

Daniel had spent seven years mourning a dead wife, only to learn that love was still alive and waiting to be believed.