Chapter 5 - Broken Clasps and Child Logic
Veronica’s face turned the color of ash.
Her manicured hand flew to her throat, her fingers grasping empty space where her necklace used to rest.
"David... listen to me, she was going to—"
"Shut up," David said, his voice dropping into a flat, icy register that made the quiet porch feel frozen.
Mia lifted her tear-stained face from Mrs. Gable’s shoulder, her small hand reaching out toward her father's sleeve.
Her little fingers caught the blue cotton of his cuff.
"Daddy?" Mia whispered, her voice cracking softly.
David dropped to his knees on the stone steps, taking Mia into his arms and pulling her close to his heart.
"I'm here, sweetie. I'm right here," he murmured, his palm cupping the back of her head.
Mia wiped her nose with the back of her sleeve, looking over her father's shoulder at Veronica’s shaking knees.
"The heart was cold, Daddy," Mia said, her child-logic piercing through the air like a needle.
"It didn't match her chest."
"Because her chest is empty."
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Veronica flinched as if the child's small words had struck her across the mouth.
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