Chapter 9 - THE RABBIT'S LAST SECRET
Emma finally agreed to let Rebecca and a forensic specialist examine Button.
She insisted on staying in the room.
I sat beside her.
Lily held her hand.
The specialist carefully opened the old seam.
Inside was a small waterproof pouch.
It contained a memory card and several folded documents.
Emma watched anxiously.
"Is Button hurt?"
The specialist smiled.
"Just a little. We can sew him up."
Emma nodded.
The documents included copies of hospital records.
A photograph of Grace holding two newborn girls.
And a handwritten letter from Hannah.
I read it with trembling hands.
To whoever finds this,
Emma is not my biological daughter.
Her mother was Grace Blackwell.
Her father is Marcus Blackwell.
I was told her family had abandoned her. I believed it for years.
When I discovered the truth, I tried to contact Marcus, but Richard's people stopped me.
I love Emma more than anything.
If something happens to me, please take her to her father.
And please tell her I never wanted to leave her.
I couldn't see the page through my tears.
Emma looked at me.
"Are you crying?"
I nodded.
She touched my hand.
"Did Mommy Hannah do something bad?"
I shook my head.
"No, sweetheart."
My voice broke.
"She loved you."
Emma began crying.
"I miss her."
I pulled her close.
"I know."
May you like
She buried her face against my chest.
And for the first time, I held the daughter I hadn't known existed.
