The necklace was missing.

Celeste’s fingers brushed over her neck again, searching, but the familiar chain was gone.

Panic welled up inside her.

That necklace wasn’t just a trinket—it was a keepsake given to her by the elderly woman, her parting gift with a final, urgent request: Make sure this gets to my son.

The early morning light filtered into the room, soft and quiet.

Nathaniel was nowhere to be seen, but the nurse was still there, making sure ...