For twenty-four hours, the city had been searching for the kidnapped child of one of the most powerful CEOs in America. Criminals had abducted him for ransom, but Ethan had managed to escape—only to collapse in the streets.
And a homeless girl had saved him.
Paramedics rushed in moments later.
As they lifted Ethan onto a stretcher, he grabbed Emma’s hand.
“Don’t leave,” he whispered.
Daniel Walker looked at the small girl for the first time.
Her soaked clothes.
Her bruised knees.
The way she tried to disappear against the wall.
“Did you save him?” he asked softly.
Emma shrugged.
“I just helped him walk.”
Daniel’s voice cracked.
“You saved my son’s life.”
Emma looked down.
“No one ever says things like that to kids like me.”
Daniel swallowed hard.
“Then maybe the world has been wrong.”
Days later, Emma stood nervously in a clean office for the first time in her life.
Daniel Walker sat across from her.
“Emma,” he said gently, “do you have anyone?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
He took a slow breath.
“Would you like a home?”
Emma blinked in disbelief.
“A real one?”
“Yes.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“And… can I still see Ethan?”
Daniel smiled.
“I think he’d like that very much.”
Months passed.
Emma started school.