Chapter 5 - The Recognition
Lily’s tiny fingers curled around the warm gold pendant, gripping the metal disc firmly.
She held the pendant close to her chest, studying its intricate filigree shape with a sudden, calm intensity. The frightened look vanished from her little face, replaced by a soft, knowing wonder.
Lily looked up from the pendant, her wide, shining blue eyes locking directly onto Ethan’s face.
“Da… Daddy,” Lily babbled softly, her tiny lips forming the word with unmistakable clarity.
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Ethan froze instantly. The fiery anger in his eyes vanished, replaced by total, speechless shock. His breath caught in his throat as he stared down at the infant in his arms, his mind racing to process the word she had just spoken.
Beside them, Claire’s lips parted in utter disbelief. Her eyes locked onto the gold pendant clutched in Lily’s small fist, her hands flying to her mouth in a muted gasp.
