Chapter 17 - The First Day of School
The morning sun of September was crisp and bright. Clara stood at the entrance of her preschool, wearing a tiny pink backpack that looked entirely too large for her shoulders. She gripped my hand tightly, her eyes wide as she looked at the other children playing in the courtyard.
"Are you ready, my brave girl?" I asked, kneeling down to her eye level.
She nodded, though her bottom lip trembled slightly. "Will you be here when the bell rings, Mommy?"
"I’ll be right here," I promised, kissing her cheek. "I won't ever leave you."
Owen stepped up beside us, holding out a small wooden token—a little carved bird he had made for her. "Keep this in your pocket, Clara. It’s a magic bird. Whenever you feel scared, just touch it, and it’ll remind you that your mommy and I are waiting right outside."
Clara took the token, her face instantly turning into a bright smile. "Thank you, Owen!"
She turned and ran into the classroom, waving back at us once before disappearing into the sea of children.
I stood up, suddenly feeling a wave of emotion wash over me. It felt like only yesterday I was sitting in that unfinished nursery, shaking with an ultrasound photo in my hand, wondering how I would survive the night. Now, my daughter was taking her first steps into the world, surrounded by love and security.
Owen wrapped his arm around my shoulders, drawing me close. "She’s going to do great, Nora."
"I know," I said, leaning into his warmth. "I just can't believe how fast time flies."
As we walked back toward the car, my phone buzzed in my purse. I pulled it out, expecting a client email. Instead, it was an alert from an unknown number—a picture message.
My breath hitched.
I opened the message. It was a photograph taken from a distance, across the street from the school. It showed me, Owen, and Clara standing at the entrance. Below the image was a single sentence:
She looks beautiful, Nora. Happy third birthday, Clara.
May you like
My hands grew cold. Damon.
He was back. Or he had never truly left.
