The frightened voice of a little girl echoed through one of the most luxurious streets in Madrid just as Daniel Brooks stepped out of a taxi in front of his large mansion.
The forty-five-year-old real-estate tycoon had returned from a business trip to Singapore a day earlier than expected. He was excited to surprise his wife Vanessa and his five-year-old daughter Emma.
Instead, he was the one who was shocked.
On the wet pavement outside the gate sat a tiny barefoot girl, picking colorful stones from puddles left by the rain. Her once-bright yellow dress was dirty and ripped at the edges. Her messy hair stuck to her thin cheeks, and she clutched a worn teddy bear missing one eye.
It was Emma.
And she was completely alone.
“Emma?” Daniel called, stunned.
The girl looked up slowly, confused for a moment. Then recognition filled her eyes. Her lips trembled and she ran toward him, almost falling as she cried.
“Daddy! Daddy, you’re back!”
Daniel lifted her into his arms—and felt a wave of horror.
She was painfully thin.
Her arms felt fragile, almost weightless. She smelled of dirt and urine. Her dress was damp from rain and sweat.
“My sweetheart… why are you outside? Where’s Vanessa?”