On the side of the girl’s neck was a small crescent-shaped birthmark. Daniel felt his chest tighten. He had seen that mark before, many years ago, on someone he once loved deeply and lost forever. His younger sister had the exact same birthmark, in the exact same place, before she disappeared from his life after a painful family fight nearly twenty years ago.
“Who are you?” Daniel asked, his voice sharper than he intended. The girl flinched at his tone and held the baby tighter, as if afraid someone might take her away. She swallowed hard before answering. “My name is Nora Blake. I can clean, cook, scrub floors, anything you want. Please… just don’t let my sister go hungry.” Her voice was soft, but desperate.
Daniel studied her face more closely. The shape of her eyes. The curve of her nose. The fear mixed with strength. Everything felt disturbingly familiar. He told his driver to wait and quietly ordered his staff to bring food and water to the gate. Nora thanked him with a small nod, her hands shaking as she accepted the bread.