The Locket That Broke Her Life

Chapter 2: The Second Locket

Eleanor moved without thinking.

"Show me your wrist again," she said.

Emily frowned, confused but polite.

"Like this?"

She turned her hand.

The heart-shaped mark was identical.

Eleanor's vision blurred.

Her body shook violently as she opened her handbag.

Inside was a silver locket, old and worn.

She pressed it open.

Inside: a faded photo of a newborn baby… and the same mark.

Emily leaned closer, her expression shifting from curiosity to discomfort.

"I don't understand why you have that."

Eleanor's voice cracked.

"Because I put it on you."

The restaurant fell silent.

Emily stepped back.

"My foster mother said I was left at Saint Mary's Orphanage."

Eleanor froze.

That name was wrong.

Her daughter had been born at Saint Anne's Hospital.

Richard, her husband, suddenly stood up.

"Eleanor, stop this madness."

But she turned to him slowly.

"Did you change the records?"

A flicker.

Just one flicker.

That was enough.

Emily stared between them.

"Who are you people?"

And for the first time, Eleanor realized—

This girl had no idea she was stolen.