During the funeral, a raven landed on the girl’s coffin. A second later, everyone present went SPEAK…

Owen nodded, but worry lingered in his eyes. He was a devoted husband and father, his care boundless. “I’m still nervous,” he admitted. “We’re sending her out there without us.”

Emily hugged him, their heartbeats syncing. “We trust her. It’s a good preschool. She’ll be safe and happy.”

At a nearby café, Owen tensed as the waitress brought their coffee and pastries. His mind was still on Lily’s first day. “Think she’ll like preschool?” he asked, resting his hand on Emily’s.

She smiled. “Yeah. You know how she loves playing with other kids. She’s outgoing, like you.”

Owen’s lips curved, but his gaze remained thoughtful. “I’m not worried she won’t like it. I just want her to feel okay without us. I want her to be happy.”

“She will be,” Emily said, squeezing his hand. “We’ve given her a great start. We did this right.”

After breakfast, Emily suggested shopping, but Owen wasn’t in the mood. “Let’s pick up Lily instead. I need to see her face, know she’s okay. Then I’ll relax.”

At the preschool, a beaming Lily greeted them, her earlier nerves replaced by excitement. “Mommy, Daddy, I made so many friends! And we painted!” she chirped, rushing to them.

Emily and Owen exchanged a glance and laughed. The morning’s anxiety melted away. “What did you paint?” Owen asked, grinning.

“Our family. I’ll show you at home,” Lily said, bubbling with enthusiasm.

Emily and Owen’s hearts filled with joy and love. The Carter family lived in their cozy home, where peace and happiness reigned. Days blended together, each filled with the simple joy of watching Lily grow, learn, and delight in every moment. They cherished their time together, unaware of the storm looming.

One morning, after Owen left for work and Lily headed to preschool, Emily savored a rare moment of quiet over breakfast. Her phone rang, an unknown number flashing. “Hello?” she answered, expecting nothing unusual.

“Emily Carter?” a panicked voice asked.

“Yes, that’s me,” she said, frowning.

“This is Lily’s preschool teacher. There’s been an incident. Lily’s been taken to the hospital by ambulance. She got sick.”

The words hit like a thunderbolt. Emily’s world crumbled, a nightmare unfolding. Her heart seized. “What?” her voice broke. “What happened? Is she okay?”…